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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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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton (elbow) off injury report Tuesday
Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 1:09 PM
Deandre Ayton (elbow) is off the injury report ahead of Tuesday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: Ayton is set to return Tuesday against the Suns after missing two games with an elbow injury. Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt will cede minutes to Ayton upon his return. The 27-year-old center remains a reliable starter in standard formats and the Lakers have three games this week. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (leg) ruled out Tuesday vs. Phoenix
Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 1:06 PM
NBA Injury Report
Luka Don?i? (leg) is out for Tuesday's game against the Suns.
Analysis: Don?i? suffered a lower left leg contusion during Saturday's loss to the Clippers and did not return after halftime. While Dalton Knecht started the third quarter, the Lakers were already without Austin Reaves. If Reaves can play on Tuesday, there won't be many minutes available to Knecht. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton (elbow) gets in full practice
Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 9:58 AM
Dave McMenamin
ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports that Deandre Ayton (elbow) was a full participant in Monday's practice.
Analysis: Ayton has missed two straight games, but it appears he's on the right track to return on Tuesday. If Ayton is available, Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt could see their roles reduced. |
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Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia records 12/11/6/2 line vs. LAC
Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 7:25 PM
Jake LaRavia tallied 12 points (5-of-11 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), 11 rebounds, six assists and two steals in Saturday's loss to the Clippers.
Analysis: Inserted into the Lakers' starting lineup due to Rui Hachimura (groin) being sidelined, LaRavia posted his first double-double of the season. Add in the assists and steals, and this was one of his best performances of the season. Hachimura could also miss Tuesday's game against the Suns, which would raise LaRavia's fantasy ceiling in the short term. |
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LeBron James LeBron James posts season-high 36 points vs. LAC
Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 7:24 PM
LeBron James accumulated 36 points (15-of-28 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), four rebounds, three assists, two steals and three three-pointers in Saturday's loss to the Clippers.
Analysis: With Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton unavailable and Luka Don?i? not returning for the second half, James was left to do most of the heavy lifting offensively. The Lakers' forward, who turns 41 on December 30, showed that he still has plenty left in the tank, dropping his first 30-point game of the season. And over the last two weeks, LeBron has been close to a first-round player in eight-cat, 12-team formats. The Lakers play three games in Week 10, starting with the Suns on Tuesday. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? (leg) will not return Saturday
Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 6:21 PM
Brett Siegel
Luka Don?i? (leg) will not return to Saturday's game against the Clippers.
Analysis: Don?i? suffered a left leg contusion during the second quarter of Saturday's game. While he finished out the half, the decision was made during the intermission that the Lakers' star was done for the night. Dalton Knecht started the third quarter, and his viability as a streamer moving forward depends on the availability of both Don?i? and Austin Reaves. |
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