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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves limited to 14 points vs. Phoenix
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 5:48 PM
Austin Reaves posted 14 points (5-of-12 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), three rebounds, two assists, two steals and two three-pointers in Thursday's loss to the Suns.
Analysis: After scoring 29 points in his first game back in the Lakers' starting lineup, Reaves' production has slipped. He's scored 18 or less in three straight, shooting 15-of-38 from the field. The good news for fantasy managers is that Reaves' calf has not given him any trouble since his return, but it would be nice to get more production from him moving forward. Especially with Deandre Ayton (two points, four rebounds and one steal) being the non-factor that he was on Thursday. |
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LeBron James LeBron James scores 15 points vs. Phoenix
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 5:48 PM
LeBron James finished Thursday's loss to the Suns with 15 points (7-of-16 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), six rebounds and five assists.
Analysis: Outside of his performance in Tuesday's loss to the Magic, James' production has slipped since the All-Star break. In four games, he's averaged 17.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.8 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers. According to Basketball Monster, it has been good for seventh-round value in eight-cat formats. Fantasy managers need more from LeBron, and so do the Lakers, who have lost three straight and are trending in the wrong direction. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? goes for game-high 41 points vs. PHX
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 5:47 PM
Luka Don?i? accumulated 41 points (12-of-21 FGs, 11-of-12 FTs), eight rebounds, eight assists, two steals and six three-pointers in Thursday's loss to the Suns.
Analysis: Don?i? had one of his best games of the season on Thursday, recording his ninth 40-point game in Phoenix. However, it wasn't enough to get the Lakers back into the win column, with the team dropping a third straight game. A top-15 player in eight-cat formats over the past two weeks, according to Basketball Monster, Don?i? remains one of the best players to roster in fantasy basketball. The question now is whether he'll be able to do enough to make the Lakers a credible threat in the West come playoff time. |
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Jaxson Hayes Jaxson Hayes (ankle) available vs. Phoenix
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 1:43 PM
Khobi Price
Jaxson Hayes (ankle) is available to play against the Suns on Thursday.
Analysis: Hayes will be back following a one-game absence with a right ankle sprain. He'll be back to fill out the backup center minutes, which means Maxi Kleber will be pushed back out of the rotation. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura (illness) downgraded to out vs. PHX
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 10:45 AM
Mike Trudell
Rui Hachimura (illness) is out for Thursday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: Hachimura is out after initially being listed as questionable, leaving the Lakers down a reserve. Jake LaRavia and Luke Kennard should see their playing time increase with Hachimura unavailable. |
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Jaxson Hayes Jaxson Hayes (ankle) probable vs. Phoenix
Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 1:30 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jaxson Hayes (ankle) is probable for Thursday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: Hayes did not play in Tuesday's loss to the Magic after injuring his ankle during Sunday's loss to the Celtics. While Maxi Kleber played the backup center minutes during the first half, he only logged 11 minutes on the night. Kleber will likely fall out of the rotation entirely if Hayes plays on Thursday. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura (illness) questionable vs. Phoenix
Wed, Feb 25, 2026, 1:25 PM
NBA Injury Report
Rui Hachimura (illness) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: Hachimura, one of the Lakers' most important reserves, is dealing with an illness. If he's unable to go, the Lakers will rely a bit more on fellow reserve Jake LaRavia. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves tallies 18 points, full stat line
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 7:12 PM
Austin Reaves amassed 18 points (6-of-16 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), two rebounds, three assists, one steal, two blocks and two three-pointers in Tuesday's loss to the Magic.
Analysis: While Reaves had a productive second half, shooting 6-of-9 from the field, his subpar first half sunk the Lakers' guard's field-goal percentage. However, Reaves has been a top-50 player since the trade deadline, so there isn't too much for fantasy managers to be worried about. If there is a question to be asked, it's what Reaves' availability will look like for the end of Week 18. The Lakers have a back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday, with Sunday's game against the Kings possibly being one where they look to rest Reaves. |
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LeBron James LeBron James records 21/6/4 line vs. Orlando
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 7:11 PM
LeBron James accounted for 21 points (8-of-13 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two three-pointers in Tuesday's loss to the Magic.
Analysis: James has scored at least 20 points in five of his last six games, with Tuesday's performance representing a step forward after he struggled with his shot in Sunday's loss to the Celtics. Since the trade deadline, James has been close to a top-25 player in eight-cat formats, providing excellent value for fantasy managers. The Lakers visit the Suns on Thursday, the first of three games they'll play to conclude Week 18. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? struggles from deep, scores 22 points
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 7:11 PM
Luka Don?i? recorded 22 points (8-of-24 FGs, 4-of-9 FTs), nine rebounds, 15 assists, one block and two three-pointers in Tuesday's loss to the Magic.
Analysis: Don?i? appeared to have an opportunity to give the Lakers the win in the final seconds, but he hesitated and passed the ball to LeBron James, who was left to toss up a turnaround three just before time expired. While Don?i? did not have a good night shooting the ball, as he was 2-of-10 from three and 4-of-9 from the foul line, he finished with 15 assists and just two turnovers. Luka and the Lakers have a good schedule to end Week 18, with three games over the final four days. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton posts 21 points, 14 rebounds
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 7:11 PM
Deandre Ayton recorded 21 points (8-of-11 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), 14 rebounds, one steal and one block in Tuesday's loss to the Magic.
Analysis: Ayton was excellent during the first half, putting up 17 points and nine rebounds as the Lakers made a concerted effort to involve the 7-footer offensively. That didn't happen as often during the second half, and while Ayton finished with a solid stat line, it could have been better. And that's been an issue throughout the season, which has limited Ayton's fantasy value. The Lakers end Week 18 with three games over the final four days, starting with the Suns on Thursday. |
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Jaxson Hayes Jaxson Hayes (ankle) ruled out vs. Orlando
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 10:10 AM
Khobi Price
Jaxson Hayes (ankle) has been ruled out against the Magic on Tuesday.
Analysis: Hayes exited early from Sunday's game and will remain sidelined against Orlando. Rui Hachimura spent some time as a small-ball center, though Drew Timme should also help fill some of the minutes down low when Deandre Ayton is on the bench. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves limited to 15 points vs. Boston
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 3:08 PM
Austin Reaves amassed 15 points (4-of-10 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block and one three-pointer in Sunday's loss to the Celtics.
Analysis: After putting up 29 points in Friday's win over the Clippers, the first game for Reaves after his minutes restriction was lifted, his impact was limited against the Celtics. The good news for fantasy managers was that he filled the stat line, but Reaves is at a point where it's fair to expect more from him as a scorer. The Lakers open their four-game Week 18 on Tuesday against the Magic, a matchup that could be another challenging one given Orlando's perimeter defenders. |
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LeBron James LeBron James posts 20/4/5/2/1 line vs. Boston
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 3:07 PM
LeBron James accounted for 20 points (9-of-21 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), four rebounds, five assists, two steals, one block and one three-pointer in Sunday's loss to the Celtics.
Analysis: James got back to the 20-point mark after being limited to 13 in Friday's win over the Clippers, but there weren't many positives to take away from Sunday's loss to the Celtics. A 1-of-5 night from beyond the arc weighed down his field-goal percentage, and the production was limited outside of points, rebounds and assists. James and the Lakers will look to bounce back on Tuesday when they host the Magic. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? leads Lakers with 25 points vs. BOS
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 3:06 PM
Luka Don?i? finished Sunday's loss to the Celtics with 25 points (9-of-22 FGs, 3-of-6 FTs), five rebounds, three assists, one block and four three-pointers.
Analysis: Don?i? led the way offensively for the Lakers, but give the Celtics credit for making him earn every bit of what he got. The Lakers' guard shot 5-of-15 from inside the arc and, removing the February 5 game in which he injured his hamstring, the seven three-point attempts were the fewest in a game for Don?i? since a January 9 loss to the Bucks in which he put up six. The Celtics consistently forced him inside the three-point line, resulting in a subpar effort by Don?i?'s standards. The Lakers open their four-game Week 18 on Tuesday against the Magic. |
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Jaxson Hayes Jaxson Hayes (ankle) will not return Sunday
Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 1:50 PM
Dan Woike
Jaxson Hayes (ankle) will not return to Sunday's game against the Celtics.
Analysis: Hayes sprained his right ankle during the first half, limiting his first stint to five minutes. With Deandre Ayton in foul trouble, the Lakers were forced to go small, with Rui Hachimura serving as the small-ball center. If Hayes misses time beyond Sunday, there may be a few minutes available to Drew Timme. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (knee) plays, has double-double Fri.
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 8:09 PM
LeBron James produced 13 points (5-of-13 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), three rebounds, 11 assists, one steal and one three-pointer in Friday's win over the Clippers.
Analysis: Despite previously being listed as questionable, James suited up for the Lakers on Friday and provided exceptional playmaking. The four-time NBA champion picked apart the Clippers' defense in his 33 minutes of game action and did just enough as a scorer to score in double figures and land the double-double. He didn't make many contributions elsewhere, but still put together decent fantasy production. The Lakers play again on Sunday against the Celtics ??" James's status ahead of that matchup will be one to monitor. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves drops 29 points against Clippers
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 7:58 PM
Austin Reaves had 29 points (9-of-15 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), six rebounds, two assists, two steals and four three-pointers in the win over the Clippers on Friday.
Analysis: Reaves' minutes restriction was lifted on Friday, which gave him more time on the court to put up strong fantasy numbers. In 32 minutes, he was dialed in from beyond the arc, utilized the free-throw line well, and added a couple steals on the defensive end. Reaves didn't contribute much as a facilitator, but that didn't prevent him from finishing with a productive stat line. He'll take the floor again on Sunday against the Celtics. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? puts up 38 points in win over Clippers
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 7:52 PM
Luka Don?i? totaled 38 points (11-of-25 FGs, 8-of-11 FTs), six rebounds, 11 assists, three steals, one block and eight three-pointers in Friday's win over the Clippers.
Analysis: Don?i? stuffed the stat sheet in a major way on Friday. In his first game back from injury (hamstring), he nearly captured a 40-point double-double that included eight three-pointers and four stocks. The superstar guard also only turned the ball over a couple of times, further underscoring his excellence on the offensive end of the floor. He'll have a chance to tally another outstanding performance in front of the national television audience when the Lakers host the Celtics on Sunday. |
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LeBron James LAL to start James, Don?i?, Ayton, Reaves, Smart
Fri, Feb 20, 2026, 3:41 PM
Jovan Buha
LeBron James, Luka Don?i?, Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart and Austin Reaves will start on Friday against the Clippers.
Analysis: James, despite previously being listed as questionable, is available and starting against a Clippers team that's fighting to get to .500. Don?i?'s return from injury will give the Lakers a potent offensive unit on Friday, as they look to put together back-to-back wins and avenge a January loss to the Cllippers. They are currently fifth in the Western Conference standings. |
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