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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura (calf) absent from injury report
Sun, Jan 11, 2026, 2:20 PM
Dan Woike
Rui Hachimura (calf) is not on the injury report for Monday's game against the Kings.
Analysis: Hachimura is available after missing the last six games with a calf injury. Jake LaRavia may remain in the starting lineup for another game if the former is under a minutes restriction in his first game back. Managers in deep leagues should hold onto LaRavia until the dust settles on the Lakers' rotation. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? fouls out for first time since 2022
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 7:11 PM
Luka Don?i? finished Friday's loss to the Bucks with 24 points (8-of-25 FGs, 4-of-8 FTs), nine rebounds, nine assists, two steals and four three-pointers.
Analysis: For just the third time in his career, and the first since October 29, 2022, Don?i? fouled out of an NBA game on Friday. His foul of Milwaukee's Kevin Porter Jr. on a three-point attempt with 16.2 seconds remaining led to two made free throws that gave the Bucks the lead for good. This was a frustrating night for Don?i?, who shot 4-of-19 from inside the arc and 4-of-8 at the foul line. The rebounds, assists, steals and three-pointers were useful, but Don?i? managers took a hit in the percentages. |
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Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia contributes 13 points, three triples
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 7:10 PM
Jake LaRavia produced 13 points (5-of-8 FGs), two rebounds, two assists, two steals and three three-pointers in Friday's loss to the Bucks.
Analysis: With Rui Hachimura (calf) once again unavailable, LaRavia was in the Lakers' starting lineup for the sixth consecutive game. While the final stat line on Friday was modest, the forward was a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Since moving into the starting five, LaRavia has been close to a top-50 player in eight-cat formats. As long as Hachimura is unavailable, LaRavia is worth the streaming risk. |
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LeBron James LeBron James drops 26/9/10/3 line vs. Milwaukee
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 7:10 PM
LeBron James recorded 26 points (10-of-21 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), nine rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and two three-pointers in Friday's loss to the Bucks.
Analysis: James, who finished one rebound shy of a triple-double, had a chance to tie Friday's game in the final seconds. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo was able to poke the ball away from behind, resulting in James' third turnover of the night. That was the only issue for the Lakers' forward, who shouldered more of the offensive workload with Luka Don?i? in foul trouble. Over the past two weeks, LeBron has been a top-15 player in eight-cat formats. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) available Friday vs. Milwaukee
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 2:47 PM
Khobi Price
LeBron James (foot) is available for Friday's game against the Bucks.
Analysis: James is good to go after sitting out Wednesday's loss to the Spurs. His return means that Jarred Vanderbilt will head to the bench, where he offers minimal fantasy value. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura (calf) ruled out vs. Milwaukee
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 9:48 AM
NBA Injury Report
Rui Hachimura (calf) has been ruled out against the Bucks on Friday.
Analysis: Hachimura has been sidelined for the Lakers' last five games but had a chance to return for this one. However, he'll remain out, which means Jake LaRavia will remain a starter for at least one more game, where he has been worth streaming. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) now probable vs. Milwaukee
Fri, Jan 9, 2026, 9:44 AM
NBA Injury Report
LeBron James (foot) is probable to play against the Bucks on Friday.
Analysis: LeBron was initially listed as questionable after missing Wednesday's game but is now expected to play. Jarred Vanderbilt started that game in his place but will return to playing a role off the bench with LeBron expected back. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura (calf) questionable Friday vs. MIL
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 2:14 PM
NBA Injury Report
Rui Hachimura (calf) is questionable for Friday's game against the Bucks.
Analysis: Hachimura has missed the Lakers' last five games with a strained right calf, and a return to action may not be far away. If he's able to play on Friday, Jake LaRavia will be the player most affected. While LaRavia's minutes would decrease, he may be worth holding onto in deep leagues to account for a potential minutes restriction for Hachimura. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) questionable Friday vs. MIL
Thu, Jan 8, 2026, 2:09 PM
NBA Injury Report
LeBron James (foot) is questionable for Friday's game against the Bucks.
Analysis: James did not play in Wednesday's loss to the Spurs, which led to Jarred Vanderbilt making a spot start. Vanderbilt is more valuable as a defender than as a scorer, so he did not offer much fantasy value. James will be back in the starting lineup if he's allowed to play on Friday. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton limited to nine points vs. SAS
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 6:10 PM
Deandre Ayton tallied nine points (4-of-9 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), six rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot in Wednesday's loss to the Spurs.
Analysis: After Ayton put up 16 shots in Tuesday's win over the Pelicans, fantasy managers likely hoped for a similar output on Wednesday, especially with LeBron James (toe) out. Unfortunately, he only attempted nine shots, with Jake LaRavia (13) and Luka Don?i? (26) being the only Lakers to hit double digits in attempts. With James possibly returning to the lineup on Friday, fantasy managers have to hope that his presence will result in a few more opportunities for Ayton. |
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Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia hits four triples, scores 16 points
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 6:10 PM
Jake LaRavia amassed 16 points (6-of-13 FGs), seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and four three-pointers in Wednesday's loss to the Spurs.
Analysis: Due to Rui Hachimura's calf injury, LaRavia has started the Lakers' last five games. And he's been productive, reaching double figures in three of the five starts. Rostered in 26 percent of Yahoo! leagues, LaRavia has been close to a top-50 player in eight-cat formats since December 30. The only issue facing managers considering adding LaRavia is the schedule. Friday's game against the Bucks is the Lakers' last of Week 12. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? posts 38 points, triple-double vs. SAS
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 6:09 PM
Luka Don?i? finished Wednesday's loss to the Spurs with 38 points (13-of-26 FGs, 10-of-16 FTs), 10 rebounds, 10 assists, two steals and two three-pointers.
Analysis: With no LeBron James (toe), Don?i? was left to shoulder most of the offensive workload for the Lakers on Wednesday. In the first half, he either scored or assisted on 39 of the team's 43 points. Don?i? finished with his fourth triple-double of the season and first since December 18. The negatives: the triple-double wasn't recorded in a victory, and Luka committed seven turnovers. The Lakers play their final game of Week 12 on Friday against the Bucks. |
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Jarred Vanderbilt LAL starts Luka, Smart, LaRavia, Vanderbilt, Ayton
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 3:09 PM
NBA Lineups
Luka Don?i?, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt and Deandre Ayton will start Wednesday's game against the Spurs.
Analysis: The Lakers won't have LeBron James (foot) for Wednesday's game, opening up a spot in the starting lineup. Vanderbilt will fill the void, and while he doesn't offer much value offensively, starting may raise his defensive ceiling. The other four starters are unchanged. |
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Gabe Vincent Gabe Vincent (back) to play 18 minutes max
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 2:12 PM
Dave McMenamin
Gabe Vincent (back) will be limited to 18 minutes in Wednesday's game against the Spurs.
Analysis: Vincent has missed the Lakers' last nine games with a lumbar back strain. With LeBron James (foot) out, there will be a need for more offense from the available players. However, Vincent will not exceed 18 minutes in his first game back, so there's no need to stream him. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) downgraded to out Wednesday
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 1:58 PM
Daniel Starkand
LeBron James (foot) is out for Wednesday's game against the Spurs.
Analysis: After scoring 30 points in Tuesday's win over the Pelicans, James will sit out the second game of the Lakers' road back-to-back. Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt should play more minutes off the bench, with one likely moving into the starting lineup. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) questionable Wednesday vs. SAS
Wed, Jan 7, 2026, 9:47 AM
NBA Injury Report
LeBron James (foot) is questionable for Wednesday's matchup with the Spurs.
Analysis: James is dealing with left foot joint arthritis and right sciatica, and he could be sidelined for the second leg of the Lakers' back-to-back set after going for 30/8/8 in Tuesday's win over New Orleans. If James is sidelined, more minutes could be available for Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton tallies 18 points, full stat line
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 4:35 PM
Deandre Ayton accumulated 18 points (9-of-16 FGs), 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocked shots in Tuesday's win over the Pelicans.
Analysis: After Friday's dud against the Grizzlies, Ayton has bounced back with two solid performances. On Tuesday, he recorded his second double-double in five games and 13th of the season. Generally speaking, when Ayton is involved in the offense early, he can be relied on for solid effort/production throughout. Fantasy managers who have him rostered will certainly root for the Lakers to feed Ayton early before Luka Don?i? and LeBron James take over. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? drops 30 points, 10 assists vs. NOR
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 4:34 PM
Luka Don?i? tallied 30 points (11-of-22 FGs, 5-of-9 FTs), two rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block and three three-pointers in Tuesday's win over the Pelicans.
Analysis: Don?i? has scored at least 30 points in five straight games, recording two double-doubles during this run. If there's been an issue for the Lakers' star, it has been turnovers, which should not surprise any fantasy managers. Don?i? recorded five on Tuesday, a number that he's met in five of his last six appearances. While the turnovers aren't an issue for eight-cat managers or those willing to punt the category, this is something that nine-cat managers have to anticipate when drafting Don?i?. |
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LeBron James LeBron James records 30/8/8/2/1 line vs. NOR
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 4:34 PM
LeBron James finished Tuesday's win over the Pelicans with 30 points (10-of-19 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), eight rebounds, eight assists, two steals, one block and three three-pointers.
Analysis: James has scored at least 30 points in two of his last three games, and Tuesday's overall stat line was a reminder of what he's still capable of doing. The 41-year-old finished two rebounds and two assists shy of a triple-double while shooting over 50 percent from the field and not missing a free throw. Over the past two weeks, James has been a top-20 player in eight-cat formats. With Austin Reaves (calf) out for a few more weeks, LeBron boasts a higher fantasy ceiling. |
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Gabe Vincent Gabe Vincent (back) downgraded to out Tuesday
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 12:32 PM
Ryan Ward
Gabe Vincent (back) is out for Tuesday's game against the Pelicans.
Analysis: Tuesday's game is the ninth that Vincent will miss as he continues to work his way back from a lumbar back strain. With Austin Rivers also out, the Lakers have turned to Nick Smith Jr. to play rotation minutes off the bench. During his pregame availability, Lakers head coach JJ Redick said that he expects Vincent to be available for Wednesday's game against the Spurs. |
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