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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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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) available Monday vs. Phoenix
Mon, Dec 1, 2025, 10:09 AM
Daniel Starkand
LeBron James (foot) is available for Monday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: James did not play in Sunday's win over the Pelicans, with Gabe Vincent moving into the starting lineup. Vincent will head to the bench, eliminating what little streaming value he possessed on Sunday. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (back) out Monday vs. Phoenix
Mon, Dec 1, 2025, 10:07 AM
Daniel Starkand
Marcus Smart (back) is out for Monday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: Smart will miss a third straight game with back spasms, freeing up rotation minutes for Gabe Vincent. However, with everyone else available, Vincent is unlikely to get the opportunities needed to impact fantasy basketball. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton (knee) exits during fourth quarter
Sun, Nov 30, 2025, 6:23 PM
Law Murray
Deandre Ayton (knee) accounted for 22 points (7-of-9 FGs, 8-of-8 FTs), 12 rebounds, one assist and four blocked shots in Sunday's win over the Pelicans.
Analysis: Ayton, who missed the Lakers' November 25 win over the Clippers with a right knee injury, may have aggravated the injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday's victory. He banged knees with Derik Queen, and while Ayton returned to the game after the first timeout called to get him off the floor, he didn't last long before needing to ask for a sub. With the Suns hosting the Suns on Monday, this could be a spot where Jaxson Hayes (8/6/2/0/2 in 21 minutes) receives the starting nod, with Ayton getting the night off. However, Ayton did not sound concerned about the injury while in the locker room after the win, which may bode well for his availability for Monday night. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves posts 33/5/8/1/1 line in victory
Sun, Nov 30, 2025, 6:18 PM
Austin Reaves amassed 33 points (9-of-15 FGs, 11-of-12 FTs), five rebounds, eight assists, one steal, one block and four three-pointers in Sunday's win over the Pelicans.
Analysis: Reaves and Luka Don?i? combined to score 67 points on Sunday, and they also shot 23-of-26 from the foul line. Reaves has scored 30 points or more in three straight outings, his most consistent run of the season to date. The lone concern in the short term is the Lakers' schedule, as they play the second game of a back-to-back on Monday and will have another one later in Week 7. Reaves did play both games of the team's most recent back-to-back, so there may not be a reason for fantasy managers to worry. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? records 34/12/7/1/1 line vs. NOR
Sun, Nov 30, 2025, 6:14 PM
Luka Don?i? finished Sunday's win over the Pelicans with 34 points (9-of-22 FGs, 12-of-14 FTs), 12 rebounds, seven assists, one steal, one block and four three-pointers.
Analysis: The Pelicans could not find an answer for Don?i? or Austin Reaves, and that has been the case for many teams this season. The tandem combined to score 67 points, more than shouldering the load as the Lakers played without LeBron James. Don?i? has scored at least 33 points in six consecutive games, one reason why he has been the top-ranked player in nine-cat formats over the past two weeks. The Lakers play four games in Week 7, starting with the Suns on Monday, and they've got another back-to-back to navigate later in the week. |
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Gabe Vincent Gabe Vincent starting in place of LeBron James
Sun, Nov 30, 2025, 3:12 PM
Dave McMenamin
Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton will start against the Pelicans on Sunday.
Analysis: With LeBron James sitting out the first leg of this back-to-back, Vincent will replace him in the starting unit. This is a smaller lineup for the Lakers, but Vincent should be able to supply some triples as a starter. |
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LeBron James LeBron James (foot) out Sunday vs. Pelicans
Sun, Nov 30, 2025, 6:52 AM
Chris B. Haynes
NBA insider Chris B. Haynes reports that LeBron James (foot) is out for Sunday's matchup with the Pelicans.
Analysis: James will sit out the first leg of Los Angeles' back-to-back set, and fantasy managers should expect him to take the court Monday against the Suns. With James sidelined, Jake LaRavia could slot into the Lakers' starting five against New Orleans. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart (back) doubtful Sunday vs. NOR
Sat, Nov 29, 2025, 2:39 PM
NBA Injury Report
Marcus Smart (back) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Pelicans.
Analysis: Due to back spasms, Smart did not play in Friday's win over the Mavericks. With the doubtful tag, it appears likely that he'll miss a second straight game. Gabe Vincent picked up additional minutes with Smart unavailable, and that would likely be the case on Sunday as well. However, Vincent is not worth streaming in most leagues. |
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