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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (back) planning to play Wednesday
Tue, Dec 9, 2025, 10:06 AM
Mike Trudell
According to Lakers beat reporter Mike Trudell, Marcus Smart (back) plans to play in Wednesday's NBA Cup matchup with the Spurs.
Analysis: âBack is feeling good. Felt good in practice today ... I'm gonna give it a shot tomorrow and see how it feels,â said Smart. The veteran guard should be considered probable for Wednesday's tilt with the Spurs after missing the Lakers' last six games. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura contributes 17 points, six boards
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 4:07 PM
Rui Hachimura accumulated 17 points (7-of-12 FGs), six rebounds, one assist and three three-pointers in Sunday's win over the 76ers.
Analysis: Hachimura's 17 points were the most he's scored in a game since November 10, when he dropped 21 in a win over the Hornets. While he is playing good minutes, averaging just over 33 per game, playing in a lineup headlined by Luka Don?i?, LeBron James and Austin Reaves limits Rui's fantasy ceiling and floor. He's ranked just inside the top-200 in eight- and nine-cat formats, which explains why Hachimura is rostered in 19 percent of Yahoo! leagues. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton doesn't miss, scores 14 points
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 4:07 PM
Deandre Ayton accounted for 14 points (7-of-7 FGs), 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot in Sunday's win over the 76ers.
Analysis: With the Lakers' âbig threeâ of Luka Don?i?, LeBron James and Austin Reaves available, Ayton's scoring opportunities were bound to take a hit. The seven field-goal attempts were the fewest for the 7-footer in a game that he's played at least 25 minutes since a November 12 loss to the Thunder. But he made all of them, in his most accurate performance of the season. Add in the rebounds, and Ayton finished with his ninth double-double of the season. |
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LeBron James LeBron James comes up big late, finishes with 29
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 4:06 PM
Law Murray
LeBron James tallied 29 points (12-of-17 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block and four three-pointers in Sunday's win over the 76ers.
Analysis: Despite a rough start to the week, rumors of LeBron's demise may have been greatly exaggerated. Back in the lineup after sitting out Friday's loss to the Celtics, the 40-year-old picked up the slack for the Lakers in crunch time. James shot 5-of-6 from the field in the fourth quarter, including two three-pointers in crunch time that helped the Lakers end their road trip on a high note. With the NBA Cup knockout stages resulting in lighter schedules for the entire league, LeBron and the Lakers will receive some welcome rest, even if they advance to the semifinals with a win over the Spurs on Wednesday. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? records 31/15/11 line vs. Philadelphia
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 4:06 PM
Luka Don?i? finished Sunday's win over the 76ers with 31 points (9-of-24 FGs, 11-of-14 FTs), 15 rebounds, 11 assists, two blocks and two three-pointers.
Analysis: Back with the Lakers after missing two games to be present for the birth of his second child, Don?i? made up for lost time by recording his second triple-double of the season. Over the past two weeks, only Nikola Joki? has provided greater fantasy value than Don?i?, whose season-long production places him third in eight-cat formats. The Lakers return home to host San Antonio in an NBA Cup quarterfinal contest on Wednesday, with the winner advancing to the semifinals on Saturday in Las Vegas. |
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Luka Doncic LAL starts Don?i?, Reaves, Rui, LeBron, Ayton
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 1:11 PM
Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Don?i?, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton will start Sunday's game against the 76ers.
Analysis: Don?i? has rejoined the team after missing two games for personal reasons, while James is back in the lineup after not playing in Friday's loss to the Celtics. Their returns mean that Gabe Vincent and Jake LaRavia head back to the bench, with the latter offering a higher fantasy ceiling when used in a reserve role. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) available Sunday vs. PHI
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 11:58 AM
Ryan Ward
LeBron James (foot) is available for Sunday's game against the 76ers.
Analysis: James is good to go after sitting out Friday's loss to the Celtics, which was the Lakers' second game in as many nights. His return means that Jake LaRavia will come off the bench, lowering his fantasy ceiling. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) upgraded to probable Sunday
Sun, Dec 7, 2025, 10:02 AM
Trevor Lane
LeBron James (foot) is now probable for Sunday's game against the 76ers.
Analysis: Initially questionable after sitting out Friday's loss to the Celtics, James is on track to play Sunday evening. His return would bounce Jake LaRavia to the bench, where he offers limited fantasy value. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) questionable Sunday vs. PHI
Sat, Dec 6, 2025, 11:30 AM
Ryan Ward
LeBron James (foot) is questionable for Sunday's game against the 76ers.
Analysis: James did not play in Friday's loss to the Celtics, which was the Lakers' second game in as many nights. The fact that he remains on the injury report is somewhat concerning, but James does have a chance of playing. If he can't, Jake LaRavia will stay in the starting lineup and is worth streaming in deep leagues. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (back) out Sunday vs. Philadelphia
Sat, Dec 6, 2025, 11:25 AM
Ryan Ward
Marcus Smart (back) is out for Sunday's game against the 76ers.
Analysis: Smart will miss a sixth straight game as he continues to deal with a strained left lumbar muscle. While his absence does not affect fantasy basketball, it means Gabe Vincent will continue to play solid minutes, even with Luka Don?i? (personal) available. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (personal) rejoins Lakers in Philly
Sat, Dec 6, 2025, 11:06 AM
Dan Woike
Luka Don?i? (personal) has rejoined the Lakers in Philadelphia ahead of Sunday's game against the 76ers.
Analysis: Don?i? missed the first two games of the Lakers' road trip, as he was in Slovenia to witness the birth of his second child. His return to the team means that Gabe Vincent will head back to the bench, where he offers limited fantasy value at best. |
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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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