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Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia held to six points as starter
Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 3:55 PM
Jake LaRavia started on Friday and contributed six points (2-of-6 FGs), one rebound, one assist and three steals against the Celtics.
Analysis: LaRavia returned to the starting lineup with LeBron James (sciatica) sidelined for the second night of the Lakers' back-to-back. LaRavia has been effective in previous starts this season, but he wasn't able to contribute much during his 21 minutes in this game. LeBron should be back to take on the 76ers on Sunday, so LaRavia will return to the bench, which will eliminate the streaming value he held. |
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Gabe Vincent Gabe Vincent scores 18 points as starter
Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 3:53 PM
Mike Trudell
Gabe Vincent finished with 18 points (5-of-10 FGs), one rebound, one assist and four three-pointers against the Celtics on Friday.
Analysis: With Luka Don?i? (personal) still sidelined, Vincent remained in the starting lineup for one more game. He was much better in this one and ended up scoring in double figures for the first time this season. Lakers coach JJ Redick said before the game that Luka should be back soon, and Sunday's game against the 76ers is a possibility. If he returns, Vincent will head to playing a reserve role, but even if he gets another start, he can't be relied on to repeat this performance. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves tallies 36/3/8 line vs. Boston
Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 3:38 PM
Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 36 points (9-of-18 FGs, 15-of-17 FTs), three rebounds, eight assists and three three-pointers in a 126-105 loss to the Celtics on Friday.
Analysis: With both LeBron James (sciatica) and Luka Don?i? (personal) sidelined, Reaves was the star of the show. That also meant he was the focal point for the Celtics defense to key in on. He started slow, but he was able to finish with a strong, efficient scoring night. Reaves has reached a new level this season, and it has led to a ton of monster performances like this one. He'll look to stay hot against the 76ers on Sunday, even if LeBron and Luka are back. |
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Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia starting in place of LeBron James
Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 12:41 PM
Dave McMenamin
Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves, Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton will start against the Celtics on Friday.
Analysis: With LeBron James unavailable for the second leg of this back-to-back, LaRavia will return to the starting lineup. LaRavia is averaging 11.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 triples across six starts this season. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) officially out vs. Boston
Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 10:17 AM
Brad Turner
LeBron James (foot) has been ruled out against the Celtics on Friday.
Analysis: As expected, James will sit out the second leg of this back-to-back for the Lakers. Jake LaRavia, who played 28 minutes off the bench on Thursday, should start in place of LeBron. Austin Reaves should be in for a big night with LeBron and Luka Don?i? (personal) both sidelined. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (back) remains out Friday vs. Celtics
Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 7:19 AM
Marcus Smart (back) is out for Friday's game against the Celtics.
Analysis: Smart has missed the last four games with a back injury. He'll continue to sit out as he manages the injury. Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters earlier this week that he expected Smart back soon, but he's missed two games since that quote and remains without a clear timetable to return. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (personal) out Friday vs. Celtics
Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 7:17 AM
Luka Don?i? (personal) is out for Friday's game against the Celtics.
Analysis: Don?i? is still away from the team for personal reasons after missing Thursday's game against Toronto. Without the 26-year-old point guard, Gabe Vincent should remain in the starting lineup. Austin Reaves will get a nice usage bump without Don?i? as well. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) doubtful Friday vs. Celtics
Fri, Dec 5, 2025, 7:05 AM
LeBron James (foot) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Celtics.
Analysis: Lebron finished with just eight points in the win over the Raptors on Thursday, snapping a streak of 1,297 games where he scored at least 10 points. Now the 40-year-old small forward is doubtful with a foot injury for Friday's game against the Celtics. Gabe Vincent could move into the starting lineup if James is out, but isn't worth rostering. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton posts 17 points, eight rebounds
Thu, Dec 4, 2025, 4:16 PM
Deandre Ayton recorded 17 points (8-of-11 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), eight rebounds and two blocks in Thursday's win over the Raptors.
Analysis: After a solid showing in Monday's loss to the Suns, Ayton began the Lakers' road trip with a quality performance against the Raptors. He's grabbed at least eight rebounds in four straight and seven of his last eight games while averaging 16.3 points and 1.4 blocks per game. There were certainly questions regarding Ayton's fit with the Lakers before the season began, but he's answered the call thus far. And fantasy managers have benefited. |
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LeBron James LeBron sees double-digit streak end at 1,297 games
Thu, Dec 4, 2025, 4:16 PM
NBA
LeBron James accumulated eight points (4-of-17 FGs), six rebounds and 11 assists in Thursday's win over the Raptors.
Analysis: From January 6, 2007, through December 1, 2025, LeBron had scored at least 10 points in 1,297 consecutive games. After being held to 10 points in Monday's loss to the Suns, the streak came to an end in Toronto. And it wasn't for a lack of trying, as only Austin Reaves attempted more shots among the Lakers who saw action. However, give James credit for not forcing the issue on the possession, instead finding Rui Hachimura (12/3/0/1 with two three-pointers) in the corner for the game-winning triple as time expired. LeBron will look to snap out of his funk when the Lakers visit the Celtics on Friday. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves scores 44 points vs. Toronto
Thu, Dec 4, 2025, 4:16 PM
Austin Reaves accounted for 44 points (13-of-21 FGs, 13-of-15 FTs), five rebounds, 11 assists and five three-pointers in Thursday's win over the Raptors.
Analysis: With Luka Don?i? (personal) away from the team and LeBron James struggling with his shot, the Lakers once again looked to Reaves to lead the way offensively. As has been the case many times this season, he answered the call in Toronto. Having scored at least 30 points in four of his last five appearances, Reaves surpassed 40 for the third time this season. He continues to provide first-round fantasy value and has shown no signs of slowing down. For that reason, the âsell-highâ window for Reaves should be closed, if it wasn't already. |
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Gabe Vincent Gabe Vincent to start Thursday vs. Toronto
Thu, Dec 4, 2025, 1:03 PM
Trevor Lane
Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton will start Thursday's game against the Raptors.
Analysis: The Lakers won't have Luka Don?i? for Thursday's game, as he is away from the team for personal reasons. Vincent slides into the starting lineup, and while he offers limited streaming value, he's worth a look for Thursday's five-game slate. Don?i?'s absence will also mean increased usage for LeBron, who struggled to keep his double-digit points streak alive in Monday's loss to the Suns. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (personal) out Thursday vs. Toronto
Wed, Dec 3, 2025, 11:09 AM
Marc Stein
Luka Don?i? (personal) is out for Thursday's game against the Raptors.
Analysis: Don?i? is away from the Lakers for personal reasons, and Thursday's game is the first of three that they'll play on their upcoming road trip. What his absence means for games against Boston and Philadelphia is unknown, but it leaves a massive hole in the Lakers' lineup. LeBron James and Austin Reaves will see their usage rates increase, which is especially important for the former, given his production in Monday's loss to the Suns. As for the spot in the starting lineup, Gabe Vincent is the most likely replacement. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (back) out Thursday vs. Raptors
Wed, Dec 3, 2025, 11:09 AM
Mark Medina
Marcus Smart (back) is out for Thursday's game against the Raptors.
Analysis: Smart has missed the last three games with a lower back injury. The 31-year-old shooting guard will sit out again Thursday for injury management reasons. Gabe Vincent could see extra minutes with Smart out, but won't be viable in fantasy basketball. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves limited to 16 points in loss to PHX
Mon, Dec 1, 2025, 7:57 PM
Austin Reaves amassed 16 points (6-of-12 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), four rebounds, three assists and three three-pointers in the loss to the Suns on Monday.
Analysis: Reaves finished with fewer than 20 points on Monday for just the second time this season. He was efficient both inside and outside the arc, but low volume kept his production down. He also committed five turnovers in his 33 minutes of game action, which was more than the handful of assists he produced. The Suns held several key Lakers in check and ended Los Angeles' seven-game winning streak. Reaves will have a chance to bounce back on Thursday against the Raptors. |
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LeBron James LeBron James held to 10 points Monday vs. Suns
Mon, Dec 1, 2025, 7:45 PM
LeBron James tallied 10 points (3-of-10 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), three assists and one three-pointer in the loss to the Suns on Monday.
Analysis: James was one of several key Lakers who couldn't get going on the offensive end on Monday. He took only 10 shots, had his most inefficient shooting performance thus far, and recorded a season-low in points as a result. The versatile forward had little impact in another area of the game ??" he failed to grab a rebound, only produced a few assists, and didn't register any stocks for the game. Overall, it was a forgettable performance from both the Lakers and James. He'll look to turn the page and bounce back against the Raptors on Thursday. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? scores 38 points in loss to Phoenix
Mon, Dec 1, 2025, 7:37 PM
Luka Don?i? amassed 38 points (15-of-26 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), 11 rebounds, five assists, and three three-pointers in the loss to the Suns on Monday.
Analysis: Don?i? was the only Laker to score north of 20 points on Monday, as he more than doubled the next highest-scoring teammate, Austin Reaves, who finished with 16 points. He also led the Lakers in rebounding and finished the game one turnover shy of double digits. The extreme positives surely outweigh the negatives from a fantasy standpoint, as the superstar guard continues to put up the best statistical season of his young career. He'll have a chance to log his eighth 30-point game in a row against the Raptors on Thursday. |
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LeBron James LeBron, Luka, Reaves, Ayton, Rui to start vs. PHX
Mon, Dec 1, 2025, 3:45 PM
NBA Lineups
The Lakers will start LeBron James, Luka Don?i?, Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton on Monday against the Suns.
Analysis: James (foot) will return from a one-game absence and re-enter the Lakers' starting lineup as they take on the Suns on the second night of a back-to-back. The Lakers currently hold a 15-4 record and find themselves in second place in the Western Conference. They've won seven straight and have a chance to extend their streak to eight games with a win on Monday. |
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Marcus Smart Redick: Marcus Smart (back) expected back soon
Mon, Dec 1, 2025, 2:27 PM
Mike Trudell
Lakers Coach JJ Redick said that they expect Marcus Smart âto be back soon.â
Analysis: Redick said it's ânot a long-term thing.â Monday will be a third straight absence for Smart, but he could end up returning by Thursday to take on Toronto, which would cut into Gabe Vincent's role. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton (knee) available Monday vs. Phoenix
Mon, Dec 1, 2025, 10:11 AM
Daniel Starkand
Deandre Ayton (knee) is available for Monday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: Despite banging knees during the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Pelicans, Ayton is good to go for Sunday's matchup with the franchise that selected him first overall in the 2018 draft. As a result, Jaxson Hayes will miss out on an opportunity to start and become a deep-league streaming option. |
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