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Austin Reaves Shams: Austin Reaves (calf) out at least 4 weeks
Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 2:47 PM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Austin Reaves (calf) has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
Analysis: Reaves, who returned to action on Tuesday after missing three games with a mild left calf strain, suffered a similar injury during the first half of Thursday's loss to the Rockets. Unfortunately, he has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain and will miss at least four weeks. Marcus Smart replaced Reaves in the lineup to begin the third quarter and should remain in that role. While the offensive output can be inconsistent, Smart's defensive ability is much-needed, as the Lakers are among the worst in the NBA in defensive rating. |
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Austin Reaves Report: Austin Reaves (calf) to undergo MRI Friday
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 5:04 PM
Dan Woike
Dan Woike of The Athletic reports that Austin Reaves (calf) will undergo an MRI on Friday.
Analysis: Reaves, who missed three games with a mild left calf strain, played 15 first-half minutes on Thursday before being ruled out at halftime. The Lakers announced that he would miss the remainder of the game with a sore left calf. More will be learned about the severity of the injury on Friday, with Marcus Smart likely returning to the starting lineup if Reaves has to miss time. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura (groin) goes scoreless in return
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 4:37 PM
Rui Hachimura (groin) finished Thursday's loss to the Rockets with zero points (0-of-6 FGs), two rebounds, two assists and one steal.
Analysis: Back in the Lakers' lineup after missing two games with a groin injury, Hachimura offered little value in his 28 minutes. In addition to missing all six of his shot attempts, the Lakers forward only grabbed two rebounds. That equalled the tally of Deandre Ayton, who supplemented his two boards with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting. The Lakers are off until Sunday; hopefully, that's enough time for Hachimura to shake off the rust after a poor showing on Christmas Day. |
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LeBron James LeBron James records 18 points, five assists
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 4:36 PM
LeBron James recorded 18 points (7-of-13 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), two rebounds, five assists, two steals, one block and one three-pointer in Thursday's loss to the Rockets.
Analysis: While James shot the ball reasonably well and recorded a complete stat line, the numbers felt a bit underwhelming, given how the game went. Including James, Luka Don?i? was the lone Lakers starter to grab more than two rebounds as Houston dominated the boards. LeBron and the Lakers will look to end Week 10 on a high note when they host the Kings on Sunday. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (leg) scores 25 points in return
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 4:36 PM
Luka Don?i? (leg) accumulated 25 points (9-of-17 FGs, 4-of-7 FTs), five rebounds, seven assists, one steal, two blocks and three three-pointers in Thursday's loss to the Rockets.
Analysis: Don?i? played 34 minutes in his return from a leg contusion that kept him out of Tuesday's loss to the Suns. Interestingly, the Lakers guard did not look entirely comfortable on his leg during the fourth quarter, but he was out there until about three minutes remaining. The Lakers don't play again until Sunday, and they can ill afford to lose Don?i? with Austin Reaves possibly aggravating his calf injury during the first half of Thursday's defeat. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (calf) will not return Thursday
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 3:36 PM
Ryan Ward
Austin Reaves (calf) will not return to Thursday's game against the Rockets.
Analysis: Reaves, who returned from a strained left calf on Tuesday, was inserted back into the starting lineup on Thursday. The plan was to continue exercising caution, but the guard was not on the court at the start of the third quarter. Marcus Smart started the period and would remain in that role if Reaves has to miss time. |
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Austin Reaves LAL starts Don?i?, Reaves, LeBron, Rui, Ayton
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 1:36 PM
Edwin Garcia
Luka Don?i?, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton will start Thursday's game against the Rockets.
Analysis: Don?i? and Hachimura are back after missing the Lakers' most recent game, pushing Nick Smith Jr. and Jake LaRavia to the bench. The other change is Reaves, who starts after coming off the bench in Tuesday's loss to the Suns. While he does not have a specific minutes limit, the Lakers will exercise some caution with his workload. Marcus Smart will come off the bench, eliminating his already-low fantasy value. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i?, Rui Hachimura available Thursday
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 12:30 PM
Ryan Ward
Luka Don?i? (leg) and Rui Hachimura (leg) are available for Thursday's game against the Rockets.
Analysis: Don?i? and Hachimura are officially available for Thursday's game after being considered probable earlier in the day. Their returns will push Nick Smith Jr. and Jake LaRavia to the bench. While LaRavia can still have some value in deeper leagues, that is not the case for Smith. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (leg) upgraded to probable Thursday
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 6:52 AM
NBA Injury Report
Luka Don?i? (leg) is now probable for Thursday's game against the Rockets.
Analysis: Initially questionable after a one-game absence, Don?i? is on track to return Thursday night. If so, he would push Nick Smith Jr. to the bench, and potentially out of the rotation entirely. |
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Jaxson Hayes Jaxson Hayes (ankle) out Thursday vs. Houston
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 6:50 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jaxson Hayes (ankle) is out for Thursday's game against the Rockets.
Analysis: Hayes will miss Thursday's game with a sore left ankle. The good news for the Lakers is that Deandre Ayton (elbow) is back, so he'll play most of the available minutes at the center position. Hayes' absence likely means that Jarred Vanderbilt will spend some time at center when Ayton sits. |
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Rui Hachimura Hachimura (groin) probable Thursday vs. Rockets
Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 2:09 PM
Rui Hachimura (groin) is probable for Thursday's game against the Rockets.
Analysis: Hachimura is on the injury report for right groin injury management reasons. It looks like the 27-year-old small forward will return to the starting lineup, though, given his probable listing. Jake LaRavia will likely head back to the Lakers' bench with Hachimura back. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (leg) questionable Thursday vs. HOU
Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 2:05 PM
Luka Don?i? (leg) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Rockets.
Analysis: Don?i? is officially listed as questionable with a leg injury on the Lakers' injury report. Earlier in the day Wednesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Don?i? is expected to play against the Rockets Thursday. The 26-year-old point guard missed Tuesday's game against the Suns, but we expect him to return after just a one-game absence. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (leg) expected to play Thursday
Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 8:25 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Luka Don?i? is expected to play in Thursday's matchup with the Rockets.
Analysis: Don?i? will return following a one-game absence, and his return should mean reduced roles for Dalton Knecht, Nick Smith and Jake LaRavia. Not counting 2024 when he left early due to injury, Don?i? has averaged 36.3 points, 10.3 assists and 6.3 rebounds across three career Christmas games. |
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Marcus Smart Marcus Smart posts 14 points, six assists vs. PHX
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 5:36 PM
Marcus Smart finished Tuesday's loss to the Suns with 14 points (5-of-11 FGs), three rebounds, six assists and four three-pointers.
Analysis: Luka Don?i?'s absence due to a leg contusion meant the Lakers needed more production from their remaining guards. While Smart and Nick Smith Jr. (12 points, one rebound, one assist and one three-pointer) both reached double figures, neither came through with the stat line that would spark intrigue among fantasy managers. It's safe to leave Smart and Smith on the waiver wire in most redraft leagues. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (calf) plays 22 minutes in return
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 5:35 PM
Austin Reaves (calf) finished Tuesday's loss to the Suns with 17 points (6-of-11 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), two rebounds, two assists and one three-pointer.
Analysis: Reaves was back on the court after missing three games with a calf injury, and his minutes were restricted. For that reason, the Lakers guard came off the bench in Phoenix. Reaves shot the ball well, but it wasn't enough to keep his team from getting blown out. The Lakers host the Rockets on Christmas Day, and a continuation of his minutes limit may result in Reaves coming off the bench again. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton records 12/10/1/3 line vs. Phoenix
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 5:35 PM
Deandre Ayton produced 12 points (6-of-8 FGs, 0-of-1 FTs), 10 rebounds, one assist and three steals in Tuesday's loss to the Suns.
Analysis: After missing two games with a right elbow injury, Ayton was back in the starting lineup on Tuesday. He recorded his 11th double-double, and the three steals were a season-high. Providing fifth-round value in eight-cat formats, Ayton has played consistent basketball in his first season with the Lakers. Not only has his team benefited, but so have those who are rostering the 7-footer. |
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LeBron James LeBron James leads Lakers with 23 points vs. PHX
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 5:34 PM
LeBron James amassed 23 points (7-of-14 FGs, 6-of-11 FTs), two rebounds, six assists and three three-pointers in Tuesday's loss to the Suns.
Analysis: With Tuesday's game getting away from the Lakers, James did not play at all during the fourth quarter. The final stat line was solid, but it was clear the Lakers missed Luka Don?i?'s scoring and playmaking. Next up for LeBron and co. is a matchup with the Rockets on Christmas Day, and he's made a habit of putting on a show in those games. Hopefully, James will be able to share the court with Don?i?. |
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Jake LaRavia LAL starts Smart, Smith, LaRavia, LeBron, Ayton
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 2:39 PM
NBA Lineups
Marcus Smart, Nick Smith Jr., Jake LaRavia, LeBron James and Deandre Ayton will start Tuesday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: The Lakers are without Luka Don?i?, opening up a spot in the starting lineup. Smith and LaRavia have moved into the starting lineup, with the latter offering a higher fantasy ceiling. At best, Smith is worth a roll of the dice in deep leagues, as Austin Reaves is available. However, he's coming off the bench and will be under a minutes restriction. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (calf) good to go Tuesday vs. Suns
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 9:34 AM
Khobi Price
Lakers reporter Khobi Price reports that Austin Reaves (calf) has been upgraded to available for Tuesday's matchup with the Suns.
Analysis: Reaves will return from a three-game absence, and he should be expected to handle a hefty workload with Luka Doncic (leg) out of action. |
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Austin Reaves Austin Reaves (calf) questionable Tuesday vs. PHX
Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 1:12 PM
NBA Injury Report
Austin Reaves (calf) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: Reaves has missed the Lakers' last three games with a strained calf, but he may return to action on Tuesday. If he can play, Reaves would essentially fill the void left by Luka Don?i?, who is out with a leg contusion. If Reaves cannot play, Dalton Knecht would figure more prominently in the rotation, potentially as a starter. |
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