| News |
|---|
|
Gabe Vincent Vincent scores 22 points on six three-pointers
Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 7:03 PM
Gabe Vincent led the Lakers with 22 points (6-of-15 FGs), three assists and six three-pointers in a 121-94 loss to the Mavericks on Wednesday.
Analysis: Vincent got the starting nod on the second night of a preseason back-to-back, since Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves got the night off. Vincent started off hot, scoring 18 points in the first quarter alone. He didn't add much after that, but it was a strong performance for him. However, he won't get the chance to play enough to replicate this level of production often. |
|
Jaxson Hayes Jaxson Hayes posts double-double in start
Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 7:01 PM
Jaxson Hayes recorded a double-double on Wednesday with 12 points (5-of-8 FGs), 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block against the Mavericks.
Analysis: Hayes started at center for the Lakers in this game with Deandre Ayton sitting out the second night of the preseason back-to-back. He returned to the Lakers on a one-year deal and should fill out the reserve minutes for them this season, which won't leave him an opportunity to have nights like this one often. |
|
Jarred Vanderbilt Jarred Vanderbilt (quad) will not return vs. Mavs
Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 6:07 PM
Dave McMenamin
Jarred Vanderbilt (quad) will not return to Wednesday's game against the Mavericks.
Analysis: Vanderbilt had a solid first half, so it is disappointing that an injury will end his night early. Vanderbilt will likely be an important reserve for the Lakers this season, so hopefully this is precautionary. More minutes will go to Jake LaRavia if Vanderbilt misses time during the regular season. |
|
LeBron James LeBron (sciatica) to take âpatient approach'
Wed, Oct 15, 2025, 4:50 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports LeBron James (sciatica) will take a âpatient approach.â
Analysis: The expectation was that LeBron would return in early November, but they may push that timeline back by a couple weeks if needed. There's no reason to rush the 40-year-old back, which means the Lakers will rely on Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves even heavier than normal until James is back in the lineup. |
|
Deandre Ayton Ayton turns in 10/13/1/2/3 line vs. Phoenix
Tue, Oct 14, 2025, 6:26 PM
Deandre Ayton recorded a double-double on Tuesday with 10 points (4-of-9 FGs), 13 rebounds, one assist, two steals and three blocks against the Suns.
Analysis: If this is the type of production that Ayton can provide this season, he will have a chance to be really productive in fantasy hoops. He's locked in as the starting center for the Lakers, which is a good opportunity for him to bounce back after a forgettable season in Portland, which led to him being bought out. |
|
Luka Doncic Doncic scores 25 points in preseason debut
Tue, Oct 14, 2025, 6:23 PM
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 25 points (7-of-15 FGs), seven rebounds, four assists, four three-pointers and five turnovers in a 113-104 loss to the Suns on Tuesday.
Analysis: Doncic played his first preseason game for the Lakers and was immediately able to pour in the points. He was matched by Austin Reaves to lead the Lakers in scoring, and he did it in 22 minutes. Doncic appears to be ready to start the season strong after dominating in EuroBasket, which is important for Los Angeles with LeBron James set to miss time. |
|
Marcus Smart Smart dishes out one assist in 20 minutes
Tue, Oct 14, 2025, 6:21 PM
Marcus Smart made his preseason debut for the Lakers on Tuesday and contributed one assist in 20 minutes against the Suns.
Analysis: Smart suited up for the Lakers for the first time, and he didn't contribute much of anything in the box score. He was a nice veteran addition for Los Angeles, but his first appearance wasn't an encouraging one for fantasy managers. His only opportunity to provide value this season may be as a streamer if the Lakers are missing multiple starters. |
|
Luka Doncic Doncic, Reaves, Smart expected to play vs. Suns
Mon, Oct 13, 2025, 9:46 AM
Khobi Price
Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart are expected to play against the Suns on Tuesday, according to coach JJ Redick.
Analysis: Reaves has played in two of the Lakers' three preseason games so far, but Doncic and Smart have yet to suit up. This will be Smart's first time suiting up for the Lakers, while Doncic will be playing for the first time since EuroBasket. |
|
Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton posts full line in win over Warriors
Sun, Oct 12, 2025, 6:25 PM
Deandre Ayton notched 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and a blocked shot across 26 minutes in Sunday's win over Golden State.
Analysis: Ayton had another strong line in the victory, marking arguably his best game of the preseason. Ayton teased a double-double while getting teammates involved and putting in work on the defensive end. Numbers like this would make him a very attractive nightly option in 2025-26 fantasy hoops. |
|
LeBron James Shams: LeBron (sciatica) out at least 3-4 weeks
Thu, Oct 9, 2025, 11:15 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports LeBron James will be out for at least 3-4 weeks due to sciatica in his right side.
Analysis: Due to a nerve issue in his right glute, James was unavailable when the Lakers opened training camp and did not play in Friday's exhibition against the Warriors. According to Charania, the 40-year-old star forward has been diagnosed with sciatica and will not be available when the regular season begins. Despite his production over the years, James should not have gone earlier than the third round in fantasy drafts before Thursday's update. Look for the news to knock him further down draft boards, with Austin Reaves' value receiving a boost. Luka Don?i? is already considered a top-5 pick by many, so LeBron's extended absence is unlikely to be any change to his draft prospects. |
|
LeBron James LeBron James' preseason availability still unknown
Thu, Oct 9, 2025, 9:54 AM
Jordan Richard
According to head coach JJ Redick, Lebron James is âon his own timeline,â when asked about the superstar's preseason availability.
Analysis: James has been unavailable due to a glute issue, and Redick's comments indicate no sense of urgency to get him back on the court for LA before the regular season tips off. James is expected to be ready for the season-opener against Golden State on October 21, though fantasy managers should continue to monitor his health in the coming weeks. |
|
Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia scores 10 in Sunday's loss to Dubs
Sun, Oct 5, 2025, 5:33 PM
Jake LaRavia posted 10 points, three assists and a steal across 20 minutes in Sunday's loss to the Warriors.
Analysis: LaRavia hit 5-of-10 shots in this one and had a minimal impact on the defensive end, making this a disappointing performance. Perhaps he can occasionally provide a few points for LA off the bench this season, but he's unlikely to see enough playing time or usage to be worth rostering outside of deep fantasy basketball leagues. |
|
Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton goes 7/7 with two swats in loss
Sun, Oct 5, 2025, 5:24 PM
Deandre Ayton provided seven points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots across 21 minutes in Sunday's loss to Golden State.
Analysis: Ayton attempted only two shots in his Lakers debut on Friday, but he fired off eight on Sunday. He made only three of those, which is far from ideal from a player of his size, but the offensive aggression is a step in the right direction. Ayton's offense isn't a major concern heading into the regular season, though even if he struggles in that department, fantasy managers can rely on his rebounds and blocks to bolster his floor. |
|
Deandre Ayton Ayton disappoints in Lakers preseason debut
Sat, Oct 4, 2025, 2:47 AM
Deandre Ayton tallied one point (0-of-2 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), eight rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocked shots in Friday's loss to the Suns.
Analysis: After agreeing to a contract buyout with the Trail Blazers, Ayton agreed to a two-year deal with the Lakers with a player option. Taking on the starting center role on a roster that will, once everyone is available, include Luka Don?i?, LeBron James and Austin Reaves, Ayton can offer top-100 fantasy value, even if he's the fourth option on most nights. However, Friday's performance was a letdown, especially with Don?i? and James unavailable. Ayton only attempted two shots from the field, which cannot happen under those circumstances. The good is that he was active on the glass and recorded three âstocks,â but the 7-footer must be more involved offensively. |
|
Austin Reaves Austin Reaves looks sharp, scores 20 points
Sat, Oct 4, 2025, 2:41 AM
Austin Reaves finished Friday's exhibition loss to the Suns with 20 points (6-of-11 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), three rebounds, two assists and one three-pointer.
Analysis: With Luka Don?i? and LeBron James sitting out, Reaves shouldered even more offensive responsibilities in Friday's preseason opener. Unsurprisingly, he was up to the task, scoring efficiently despite being the focal point of Phoenix's defensive attention. While Don?i? and James will again be the primary playmakers, Reaves can provide excellent fantasy value, having been a top-50 player last season. Fantasy managers should anticipate similar production this season, with Reaves' value receiving a boost on nights when Don?i? and/or James are unavailable. |
|
LeBron James LeBron (glute) sidelined to begin training camp
Wed, Oct 1, 2025, 3:49 AM
LeBron James (glute) was unavailable when the Lakers opened training camp on Tuesday.
Analysis: According to Lakers head coach JJ Redick, James is dealing with a nerve issue in his glute, hence the 40-year-old's absence to begin training camp. The goal is for him to be fully healthy for the Lakers' October 21 season opener against the Warriors, and the Lakers are exercising caution with James' ramp-up process. âIt'll be a slower process with him leading into the first game,â Redick said, according to ESPN. âHe's obviously got 22 years so far of wear and tear on the body and he's dealing with a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute. So, we're just playing the long game with LeBron.â While he's managed to fend off Father Time for this long, continuing to play at a high level, LeBron will turn 41 in December. He may not be a player you can select in the first round of standard drafts, but James' early ADP places him in second-round territory. |
|
Nick Smith Nick Smith Jr. signs two-way with Lakers
Mon, Sep 29, 2025, 6:49 AM
Khobi Price
Lakers signed Nick Smith Jr. to a two-way contract.
Analysis: The Hornets waived Smith on Thursday, and it didn't take long for him to find a new home. His first two seasons were a struggle after Charlotte drafted him 27th overall in 2023, but he'll get a fresh start in Los Angeles. Smith showed some flashes of upside, and he'll get the opportunity to develop in the G League for most of this season. |
|
Luka Doncic Don?i? ends EuroBasket run with 39-point effort
Wed, Sep 10, 2025, 10:46 AM
Luka Don?i? amassed 39 points (11-of-25 FGs, 12-of-15 FTs), 10 rebounds, seven assists and five three-pointers in Wednesday's loss to Germany.
Analysis: Slovenia's run at FIBA EuroBasket ended with a 99-91 quarterfinal defeat, with Don?i? producing another gaudy stat line. While he did score a game-high 39 points, the tally was boosted by a 12-of-15 day at the foul line. Don?i? shot 5-of-16 from beyond the arc, while his teammates combined to go 5-of-23. Germany also hit nine three-pointers on Wednesday, but did so on nine fewer attempts while also outscoring Slovenia by 10 points from the foul line. Momentum appeared to shift when Don?i? checked out with 1:12 remaining in the third quarter and Slovenia leading, 73-64. Germany pulled to within four by the end of the period and would score 13 of the first 16 points in the fourth. |
|
Luka Doncic Don?i? goes off for 42 points in win over Italy
Sun, Sep 7, 2025, 7:35 AM
Luka Don?i? finished Slovenia's Sunday win over Italy with 42 points (11-of-19 FGs, 15-of-16 FTs), 10 rebounds, one assist, three steals and five three-pointers.
Analysis: Don?i? was sensational to begin Sunday's Round of 16 matchup, scoring 22 points in the first quarter. While Italy was able to do a better job of defending the Lakers star as the game progressed, Don?i? still recorded his first 40-point game of this summer's EuroBasket. The lone area of concern was his dash to the locker room between the first and second quarters, possibly to address a minor lower-body injury. Don?i? still played 33 of a possible 40 minutes, so there's unlikely to be an injury concern heading into Slovenia's quarterfinal matchup with Germany. |
|
Luka Doncic Doncic pours in 37/11/9/3 line in win over Israel
Thu, Sep 4, 2025, 7:15 AM
Luka Doncic led Slovenia with 37 points (12-of-21 FGs, 9-of-9 FTs), 11 rebounds, nine assists, three steals, one block, four three-pointers and seven turnovers in a 106-96 win over Israel on Thursday.
Analysis: Unsurprisingly, Doncic has carried the offensive load for Slovenia throughout EuroBasket, and this was another dominant performance from him. This wasn't his highest-scoring game, but it was his most efficient outing from the floor. This was the third time this tournament that he finished with exactly nine assists, but he was able to record a triple-double against Belgium. Slovenia will go as far as Doncic takes them. |
Connect With Us:
