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Luka Doncic Don?i? (hamstring) out for regular season
Fri, Apr 3, 2026, 12:12 PM
Mike Trudell
Luka Don?i? (hamstring) has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain and will miss the remainder of the regular season.
Analysis: Don?i? injured his left hamstring during Thursday's loss to the Thunder and exited the game immediately. With the Lakers' star done for the rest of the regular season, he'll fall one game shy of the 65-game minimum to be eligible for postseason awards. More importantly, Don?i? is out indefinitely, and it's unknown if he'll be healthy enough to play in the postseason. With Marcus Smart also out, Rui Hachimura is likely to move into the starting lineup. Friday's injury news also puts more playmaking responsibilities on LeBron James and Austin Reaves. |
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LeBron James LeBron James limited to 13 points vs. Thunder
Thu, Apr 2, 2026, 6:13 PM
LeBron James amassed 13 points (3-of-7 FGs, 6-of-8 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block and one three-pointer in Thursday's loss to the Thunder.
Analysis: The Lakers' 43-point loss on Thursday was the second-worst of James' career, and the game wasn't that close. Like most of the starters on the two teams, LeBron watched the entire fourth quarter from the bench. And he may be asked to do more of the heavy lifting, as Luka Don?i? (hamstring) exited during the third quarter and Austin Reaves (back) was limited for most of his 27 minutes on the court. The Lakers end their Week 23 in Dallas on Sunday. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (back) scores team-high 15 points
Thu, Apr 2, 2026, 6:09 PM
Khobi Price
Austin Reaves (back) finished Thursday's loss to the Thunder with 15 points (5-of-9 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), four rebounds, one assist and two three-pointers.
Analysis: Reaves appeared to tweak something on the left side of his lower back early in Thursday's game. While he did play 27 minutes, the Lakers' guard appeared to be a shell of himself for most of the night. And with Luka Don?i? leaving Thursday's game with a left hamstring injury, the Lakers can't afford to lose Reaves as well. The Lakers won't play again until Sunday in Dallas, so Reaves will have a little more time to recover. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (hamstring) will not return vs. OKC
Thu, Apr 2, 2026, 5:31 PM
Khobi Price
Luka Don?i? (hamstring) will not return to Thursday's game against the Thunder.
Analysis: Don?i? injured his left hamstring during the third quarter of Thursday's game, letting go of the basketball almost immediately afterward. While the Lakers' star guard was able to walk off the court on his own, he did not look comfortable. Don?i? still needs to play at least 20 minutes in one more game to be eligible for postseason awards. Still, the Lakers' primary concern is whether this injury will affect his availability for the postseason. He will undergo an MRI on Friday morning to determine the severity of the injury. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (ankle) remains out vs. Oklahoma City
Wed, Apr 1, 2026, 12:17 PM
NBA Injury Report
Marcus Smart (ankle) is out for Thursday's game against the Thunder.
Analysis: Thursday's game is the sixth that Smart has missed due to a right ankle contusion. Jake LaRavia will continue to start, which makes him worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues. |
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Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia shoots perfect 5-of-5 in win
Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 7:13 PM
Jake LaRavia finished with 14 points (5-of-5 FGs), seven rebounds, one steal and two three-pointers on Tuesday against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: This was LaRavia's fifth straight game as a starter, with the most recent start before that coming before the All-Star break. He had some solid stretches earlier this year, but March was a rough month for him. This was his only double-digit scoring game of the month, and it took him not missing a shot to reach that. He has been able to contribute more defensive stats as a starter, which gives him a little upside, but he hasn't truly taken advantage of the extra minutes. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura scores 14 points off bench
Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 7:10 PM
Rui Hachimura provided a boost off the bench with 14 points (6-of-8 FGs), one rebound, one block and two three-pointers against the Cavaliers on Tuesday.
Analysis: Hachimura was pushed back to the bench for this game with Luka Don?i? back in the lineup after serving a one-game suspension on Monday. Hachimura scored 14 points as a starter in that game and added 14 more in this one, though he didn't contribute much in other categories, which has been the case all season. Hachimura is a strong rotation piece for the Lakers, but he shouldn't be relied on in fantasy basketball. |
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Luka Doncic Don?i? tallies 42 points, 12 assists in return
Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 7:06 PM
Luka Don?i? led the Lakers with 42 points (13-of-26 FGs, 10-of-10 FTs), four rebounds, 12 assists, two steals and six three-pointers in a 127-113 win over the Cavaliers on Tuesday.
Analysis: After serving a one-game suspension on Monday for being assessed a 16th technical foul, Don?i? was back in the lineup for the second leg of this back-to-back. The fresh legs allowed him to put together a third straight 40-point game while also shooting at least 50 percent from the floor in each game. He's been effective from the free throw line as well, shooting 25-of-26 during this three-game stretch. Free throw percentage is typically a weakness, but he as been red-hot recently and will look to keep that going into Thursday's game in Oklahoma City. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) available vs. Cleveland
Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 4:01 PM
Khobi Price
LeBron James (foot) is available to play against the Cavaliers on Tuesday.
Analysis: LeBron was listed as questionable on the second night of this back-to-back, but he will be good to go. He had a triple-double on Monday and will look to stay hot against his hometown team. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (ankle) out Tuesday vs. Cavaliers
Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 10:22 AM
Marcus Smart (ankle) is out for Tuesday's game against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: Smart is still dealing with a right ankle contusion and will miss his fifth consecutive game on Tuesday. Jake LaRavia should continue to start with Smart still sidelined. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) questionable Tuesday vs. Cavs
Tue, Mar 31, 2026, 10:18 AM
LeBron James (foot) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Cavaliers.
Analysis: James is on the injury report as questionable with left foot injury management for Tuesday's game against the Cavaliers, which is the second game of a back-to-back for the Lakers. LeBron had a triple-double in Monday's win over the Wizards. If he's ruled out Tuesday, Rui Hachimura could slide into the starting lineup. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves has 19 points, nine dimes vs. WAS
Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 6:49 PM
Austin Reaves produced 19 points (4-of-11 FGs, 11-of-12 FTs), three rebounds, nine assists and one steal in the win over the Wizards on Monday.
Analysis: Despite not shooting the ball well, Reaves got to the line consistently, neared the 20-point mark, and finished as one of the Lakers' best scorers on the evening. The versatile combo guard struggled with five turnovers, as well, but made up for his miscues by nearly reaching double figures in assists. Monday wasn't one of Reaves' best games, but it could be one that fantasy managers end up being satisfied with. |
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LeBron James LeBron James has 21/10/12 triple-double in win over Wizards
Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 6:47 PM
LeBron James recorded 21 points (8-of-16 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), 10 rebounds, 12 assists, one block and one three-pointer in the win over the Wizards on Monday.
Analysis: James upped his production on Monday in the absence of Luka Don?i?, who missed the contest to serve a one-game suspension. In doing so, he led the Lakers in scoring, rebounding, and assists in his 33 minutes of action. James has mostly taken a back seat recently when the Lakers have operated at full health. However, it's impressive that he can still flip the switch in Year 23 to deliver what is required of him in any given situation. He'll have a chance to land another big performance on Tuesday against the Cavaliers. |
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Luke Kennard Luke Kennard hits four three-pointers off bench
Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 6:28 PM
Luke Kennard amassed 19 points (7-of-10 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), two rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers in the win over the Wizards on Monday.
Analysis: Kennard was one of many Lakers to produce offensively against the Wizards. He accounted for more than half of Los Angeles' total three-pointers on the evening and finished as one of the team's top scorers. Kennard is enjoying another strong shooting season from beyond the arc. He doesn't often provide much impact elsewhere, however. Still, he's capable of some big nights if he gets enough shots up from deep. |
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Rui Hachimura LAL: Reaves, LaRavia, Hachimura, James, Ayton
Mon, Mar 30, 2026, 3:41 PM
Law Murray
Austin Reaves, Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton will start Monday's game against the Wizards.
Analysis: The Lakers won't have Luka Don?i? for Monday's game, as he is serving a one-game suspension for accumulating 16 technical fouls. Hachimura moves into the starting lineup, while the Lakers will look to Reaves and James to handle the playmaking. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? assessed one-game suspension by NBA
Sat, Mar 28, 2026, 12:26 PM
NBA Communications
The NBA has suspended Luka Don?i? for one game due to technical foul accumulation.
Analysis: Don?i? picked up his 16th technical foul of the season during the third quarter of Friday's win over the Nets, which triggered an automatic one-game suspension. As a result, he will sit out Monday's game against the Wizards. Who fills the void in the lineup depends on Marcus Smart, who has missed the last three games with an ankle injury. If Smart can play, he would fill the void with Jake LaRavia remaining in the starting five. |
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Jaxson Hayes Jaxson Hayes blocks season-high five shots vs. BKN
Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 7:37 PM
Jaxson Hayes recorded 10 points (2-of-3 FGs, 6-of-10 FTs), eight rebounds, one assist and five blocked shots in Friday's win over the Nets.
Analysis: Hayes had his best defensive night of the season on Friday, with the five blocks being one shy of his career-high. As a result, he played 26 minutes while starter Deandre Ayton (nine points, seven rebounds, one steal and three blocks) logged 22. Hayes remains a player who should only be in fantasy lineups on nights when Ayton is not available, but he should be applauded for his performance on Friday. |
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LeBron James LeBron James records 14 points, eight assists
Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 7:36 PM
LeBron James notched 14 points (5-of-11 FGs, 4-of-7 FTs), six rebounds, eight assists and one steal in Friday's win over the Nets.
Analysis: James took a back seat to Luka Don?i? and Austin Reaves offensively on Friday, something he has been more willing to do in recent weeks. And the change in approach is one reason for the Lakers' improved play, as they're now 13-2 in March. Even with the limited scoring, James still recorded six rebounds and eight assists, which is good value in those categories. And since March 1, he has provided fourth-round value in eight-cat formats. That may not match LeBron's prime, but he is 41 years old. The Lakers play four games in Week 23, starting with the Wizards on Monday. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves scores 15 fourth-quarter points
Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 7:35 PM
Austin Reaves accumulated 26 points (7-of-13 FGs, 8-of-11 FTs), eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and four three-pointers in Friday's win over the Nets.
Analysis: Reaves was at his best in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points to help the Lakers pull away from the Nets. He's now scored at least 24 points in four straight games, the second time he's accomplished that feat this month. If Luka Don?i? has to serve a one-game suspension on Monday after picking up his 16th technical foul during the third quarter, Reaves could go off in a big way against the lottery-bound Wizards. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? scores 41, picks up 16th technical
Fri, Mar 27, 2026, 7:35 PM
Law Murray
Luka Don?i? finished Friday's win over the Nets with 41 points (15-of-25 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, one block and five three-pointers.
Analysis: Don?i? was rolling on Friday, and then the last thing that the Lakers or fantasy managers needed to see happened. The Lakers star got into it with Ziaire Williams during the third quarter, resulting in both players being assessed technical fouls. For Luka, that was his 16th of the season after a tech called in last week's win over the Magic was rescinded. If this technical foul is upheld, he'll have to serve a one-game suspension, with the Lakers hosting the Wizards on Monday. That would be a rough start to Week 23 for those rostering Don?i?, especially with the Cavaliers visiting the following night. |
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