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Luke Kennard Luke Kennard records five assists vs. San Antonio
Tue, Feb 10, 2026, 7:02 PM
Luke Kennard tallied 14 points (5-of-8 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), two rebounds, five assists and one three-pointer in Tuesday's loss to the Spurs.
Analysis: After coming off the bench in his first two appearances as a Laker, Kennard moved into the starting lineup on Tuesday due to multiple absences. He shot the ball well and dished out five assists, but fantasy managers likely hoped for greater shot volume from the guard. For the Lakers' final game before the break, Thursday's game against the Mavericks, Kennard will likely be back in a reserve role. That limits his fantasy ceiling, but it may be the role that he's more comfortable with right now. |
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Kobe Bufkin Kobe Bufkin struggles in first career start
Tue, Feb 10, 2026, 7:01 PM
Kobe Bufkin recorded seven points (2-of-10 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), two rebounds, one assist, one steal and one three-pointer in Tuesday's loss to the Spurs.
Analysis: Making his first start as an NBA player, Bufkin started well on Tuesday. He shot 2-of-4 from the field in the first quarter and dished out an assist. Unfortunately, the former first-round pick's production tailed off, an unsurprising development, given Bufkin's limited in-game experience. There's no need to roster him in redraft leagues, but managers competing in deeper dynasty leagues can afford to stash Bufkin. |
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Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia plays 19 minutes before fouling out
Tue, Feb 10, 2026, 7:01 PM
Jake LaRavia accounted for 10 points (3-of-6 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), two rebounds, one assist and two three-pointers in Tuesday's loss to the Spurs.
Analysis: With Luka Don?i?, Austin Reaves and LeBron James all sidelined for Tuesday's game, it felt like a spot where LaRavia could get all the shots that he wanted. Unfortunately, he got into early foul trouble, committing five in the first half. LaRavia would foul out with 7:43 remaining in the third quarter, playing 19 minutes. The Lakers should be closer to full strength for Thursday's game against the Mavericks, which should mean LaRavia takes on a role that he's more comfortable with. |
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Kobe Bufkin LAL starts Bufkin, Kennard, LaRavia, Rui, Hayes
Tue, Feb 10, 2026, 4:03 PM
Edwin Garcia
Kobe Bufkin, Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes will start Tuesday's game against the Spurs.
Analysis: Because of injuries, the Lakers will have an incredibly thin rotation for Tuesday's game. Bufkin, Kennard and Hayes move into the starting lineup, stepping in for Marcus Smart, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton. While none of the spot starters are guaranteed to provide solid fantasy value, they're all worth streaming. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton (knee) downgraded to out vs. SAS
Tue, Feb 10, 2026, 3:46 PM
Law Murray
Deandre Ayton (knee) is out for Tuesday's game against the Spurs.
Analysis: Ayton is officially out for Tuesday's game, adding his name to the Lakers' lengthy list of absentees. Jaxson Hayes will move into the starting lineup, and he's worth streaming in this spot. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton (knee) questionable vs. San Antonio
Tue, Feb 10, 2026, 10:25 AM
Daniel Starkand
Deandre Ayton (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Spurs.
Analysis: Ayton's sore right knee has him back on the injury report for Tuesday, the second game in as many nights for the Lakers. If he's unable to play, Jaxson Hayes would slide into the starting lineup. Given how shorthanded the Lakers are, Hayes is worth streaming if allowed to start. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (ankle) ruled out vs. San Antonio
Tue, Feb 10, 2026, 10:21 AM
Daniel Starkand
Marcus Smart (ankle) is out for Tuesday's game against the Spurs.
Analysis: Smart is one of four key contributors ruled out for Tuesday's game, the second in as many nights for the Lakers. Fantasy managers should expect to see Luke Kennard, Dalton Knecht and Bronny James play significant minutes, as Austin Reaves and Luka Don?i? are also out. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (calf) ruled out vs. San Antonio
Tue, Feb 10, 2026, 10:16 AM
Daniel Starkand
Austin Reaves (calf) is out for Tuesday's game against the Spurs.
Analysis: With Reaves' playing time still being restricted as he returns from a strained calf, his not playing on Tuesday is an unsurprising development. With Marcus Smart also out, there will be many minutes available to Luke Kennard, while Dalton Knecht, Bronny James and Kobe Bufkin may also slot into the rotation. Of those four, Kennard is the only one worth the streaming risk. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) ruled out vs. San Antonio
Tue, Feb 10, 2026, 10:13 AM
Daniel Starkand
LeBron James (foot) is out for Tuesday's game against the Spurs.
Analysis: While James played both legs of the Lakers' last two back-to-backs, he will not do so on Tuesday. Tuesday's game will be the 18th that he's missed this season, which makes the 41-year-old ineligible for postseason awards. The last time LeBron failed to make any of the three All-NBA teams was his rookie season, 2003-04. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart turns in 19/3/3/2 line vs. OKC
Mon, Feb 9, 2026, 7:09 PM
Marcus Smart lit up the Thunder with 19 points (7-of-16 FGs), three rebounds, three assists, two steals and four three-pointers on Monday.
Analysis: Smart will eventually return to the bench when the Lakers are finally healthy, but for now, he'll remain productive. This was his second straight game with at least 15 points after five straight scoring in single digits. Smart isn't a reliable option for fantasy managers, but he is still capable of making an impact. This was the first leg of a back-to-back, so it would be surprising if Austin Reaves (calf) played against the Spurs on Tuesday. That could mean extra minutes for Smart. |
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LeBron James LeBron James records another double-double in loss
Mon, Feb 9, 2026, 7:05 PM
LeBron James led the Lakers with 22 points (9-of-17 FGs), six rebounds, 10 assists and one steal in a 119-110 loss to the Thunder on Monday.
Analysis: The Lakers three-game winning streak came to an end, but James was able to remain productive. This was his third straight triple-double, and after turning it over 15 times across two games, he only coughed up the rock three times in this one. With Luka Don?i? (hamstring) sidelined, James has stepped up as the Lakers' primary playmaker. This was the first night of a back-to-back, and LeBron has played in both legs of their last two back-to-backs. Expect him to be out there against the Spurs on Tuesday. |
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Deandre Ayton LAL starts Smart, LaRavia, James, Hachimura, Ayton
Mon, Feb 9, 2026, 3:48 PM
NBA Lineups
Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton will start Monday's game against the Thunder.
Analysis: The lone change to the lineup is Ayton, who returns after sitting out Saturday's win over the Warriors. As a result of his return, Jaxson Hayes will come off the bench. Austin Reaves is still under a limit of 25 minutes, so Hachimura remains with the starters. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton (knee) good to go Monday vs. OKC
Mon, Feb 9, 2026, 10:02 AM
NBA Injury Report
Deandre Ayton (knee) is available for Monday's matchup with the Thunder.
Analysis: Ayton came into the day with a probable tag, so his availability isn't a surprise. He'll return following a one-game absence which should send Jaxson Hayes back to the bench. Ayton will have his work cut out for him against a jumbo Thunder frontcourt featuring Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (hamstring) to remain out vs. OKC
Sun, Feb 8, 2026, 3:51 PM
NBA Injury Report
Luka Don?i? (hamstring) is out for Monday's game against the Thunder.
Analysis: Saturday's game will be the second that Don?i? has missed since straining his left hamstring during Thursday's win over the 76ers. Rui Hachimura was inserted into the starting lineup in Saturday's win over the Warriors, due partly to Austin Reaves (calf) being limited to 25 minutes. Whether Hachimura starts on Monday will likely depend on Reaves' minutes allowance. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton (knee) probable vs. Oklahoma City
Sun, Feb 8, 2026, 3:47 PM
NBA Injury Report
Deandre Ayton (knee) is probable for Monday's game against the Thunder.
Analysis: Ayton was held out of Saturday's win over the Warriors, with the Lakers scratching him just before tipoff due to a sore right knee. If he can play against the Thunder, that will push Jaxson Hayes back to the bench. |
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Kobe Bufkin Shams: Lakers sign Kobe Bufkin to two-year deal
Sat, Feb 7, 2026, 7:18 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that the Lakers have signed Kobe Bufkin to a two-year contract.
Analysis: Bufkin's contract includes a team option for the 2026-27 season. The former first-round pick has spent most of this season in the G League, earning a 10-day contract with the Lakers in mid-January. With the Bufkin signing, the Lakers have filled all 15 of their standard contract slots. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves records 16 points, eight assists
Sat, Feb 7, 2026, 5:14 PM
Austin Reaves amassed 16 points (5-of-10 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), five rebounds, eight assists, two steals and one blocked shot in Saturday's win over the Warriors.
Analysis: Reaves' minutes are still being restricted, and he played 24 on Saturday. That didn't keep him from having a productive night off the bench, finishing with a stat line that only lacked a three-pointer. Counting Saturday, Reaves has recorded at least eight assists in ten of the 10 games he's appeared in. With Luka Don?i? sidelined, the Lakers will need a little more playmaking from Reaves, and he was up to the task against the Warriors. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura hits four triples, scores 18 points
Sat, Feb 7, 2026, 5:13 PM
Rui Hachimura tallied 18 points (7-of-10 FGs), one rebound, one block and four three-pointers in Saturday's win over the Warriors.
Analysis: With Austin Reaves still under a minutes restriction, Hachimura was JJ Redick's choice to replace the injured Luka Don?i? (hamstring) in the starting lineup on Saturday. He was effective as a scorer, shooting 70 percent from the field overall and 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Unfortunately, fantasy managers didn't receive much else from Hachimura. As long as Luka is out and Reaves' minutes are restricted, Rui should remain in the starting lineup. |
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LeBron James LeBron James leads Lakers with 20 points, 10 dimes
Sat, Feb 7, 2026, 5:13 PM
LeBron James finished Saturday's win over the Warriors with 20 points (6-of-17 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), seven rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, one block and two three-pointers.
Analysis: With Luka Don?i? (hamstring) out, more of the playmaking responsibilities fall upon James' shoulders, so the increased assist output is expected. For the first time this season, he's hit double figures in that category in consecutive games. However, turnovers remain an issue for James, who racked up seven more after committing eight in Thursday's win over the 76ers. While Don?i? has offered elite nine-cat fantasy value despite his turnover woes, that hasn't been the case for LeBron, who's ranked outside the top-50. Hopefully, he'll be able to clean that up during the Lakers' five-game Week 17. |
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Rui Hachimura LAL starts Smart, LaRavia, James, Hachimura, Hayes
Sat, Feb 7, 2026, 2:19 PM
Law Murray
Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes will start Saturday's game against the Warriors.
Analysis: Already without Luka Don?i? for Saturday's game, the Lakers will also be without Deandre Ayton. As a result, Hachimura and Hayes will start. Austin Reaves is still limited to 25 minutes, so he will come off the bench. |
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