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Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia records four steals vs. Detroit
Tue, Dec 30, 2025, 7:19 PM
Jake LaRavia amassed nine points (3-of-9 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, one assist, four steals, one block and one three-pointer in Tuesday's loss to the Pistons.
Analysis: With Rui Hachimura sidelined by a calf injury, LaRavia made his tenth start of the season on Tuesday. He didn't have a great night shooting the basketball, but the Lakers forward did record four steals and one blocked shot in 38 minutes on the floor. Those stats are encouraging for fantasy managers, especially since Hachimura is expected to miss multiple games. LaRavia is rostered in 10 percent of Yahoo! leagues, so he won't be too hard to find on the waiver wire. |
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LeBron James LeBron James struggles on 41st birthday, scores 17
Tue, Dec 30, 2025, 7:19 PM
LeBron James finished Tuesday's loss to the Pistons with 17 points (6-of-17 FGs, 2-of-5 FTs), four rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block and three three-pointers.
Analysis: LeBron's 41st birthday was not a joyous occasion for the Lakers' star, as the Pistons took control in the third quarter and won with relative ease. Simply put, Detroit did on Tuesday night what âFather Timeâ has failed to do to the future Hall of Fame forward. In addition to the poor shooting, James was responsible for five turnovers, with only Luka Don?i? committing more (eight). He and the Lakers will look to bounce back when they host the Grizzlies on Friday and Sunday. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? drops 30 points, 11 assists vs. DET
Tue, Dec 30, 2025, 7:19 PM
Luka Don?i? produced 30 points (9-of-22 FGs, 9-of-13 FTs), five rebounds, 11 assists and three three-pointers in Tuesday's loss to the Pistons.
Analysis: While fantasy managers will likely be pleased with Don?i? recording another 30-point double-double, that did not tell the whole story of his night. There were a few defensive lapses, and the Lakers' point guard compounded those errors by committing eight turnovers. With Austin Reaves (calf) out for at least four weeks, Don?i? and the Lakers have an extremely slim margin for error. They were able to hang around until the second half of the third quarter, with the Pistons' takeover leading to Don?i? and the other starters watching the final four minutes from the bench. The Lakers end Week 11 with games against the Grizzlies on Friday and Sunday. |
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Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia starting in place of Rui Hachimura
Tue, Dec 30, 2025, 4:10 PM
Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Doncic, Marcus Smart, LeBron James, Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton will start against the Pistons on Tuesday.
Analysis: With Rui Hachimura (calf) set to miss multiple games, LaRavia will replace him in the starting lineup. Lakers coach JJ Redick said Hachimura should be back at some point next week, so LaRavia should remain in the starting lineup for their games against the Grizzlies on Friday and Sunday at least. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura (calf) to miss âabout' one week
Tue, Dec 30, 2025, 2:56 PM
Law Murray
Lakers head coach JJ Redick said on Tuesday that Rui Hachimura (calf) will be out for âaboutâ one week.
Analysis: Due to a sore right calf, Hachimura did not practice on Monday and was ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Pistons. Unfortunately, that won't be the only game he misses, as the forward is expected to miss about one week, according to his head coach. Jake LaRavia has been Hachimura's replacement in the starting lineup in the past, and that may be the case for this most recent injury as well. |
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Jaxson Hayes Jaxson Hayes (ankle) absent from injury report
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 2:14 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jaxson Hayes has been removed from the injury report for Tuesday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: Hayes has missed the Lakers' last two games with a sore left ankle. He participated in Monday's practice and has been cleared to play against the Pistons. Hayes will assume his usual duties as Deandre Ayton's backup, which is not a good place to find fantasy value. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura (calf) out Tuesday vs. Detroit
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 2:11 PM
NBA Injury Report
Rui Hachimura (calf) is out for Tuesday's game against the Pistons.
Analysis: Due to a sore right calf, Hachimura did not participate in Monday's practice. His absence will open up a spot in the Lakers' starting lineup, with Jake LaRavia being the most likely replacement. With only four games on the schedule, LaRavia will be worth streaming in deep leagues. |
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Jaxson Hayes Jaxson Hayes (ankle) active in Monday practice
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 10:10 AM
Daniel Starkand
According to Lakers head coach JJ Redick, Jaxson Hayes (ankle) participated in Monday's practice.
Analysis: Hayes has missed the Lakers' last two games with a sore left ankle. His return to practice on Monday makes it possible that he'll be able to play in Tuesday's game against the Pistons. While Hayes' status does not affect fantasy basketball, his return would give the Lakers another post player to counter Detroit's Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart. |
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Rui Hachimura Rui Hachimura (groin) sits out Monday practice
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 10:06 AM
Daniel Starkand
Rui Hachimura (groin) did not participate in Monday's practice.
Analysis: Before Thursday's loss to the Rockets, Hachimura missed two games with a groin injury. Lakers head coach JJ Redick said that the forward is âbanged upâ but did not specify what injuries he may be dealing with. Hachimura should be considered questionable for Tuesday's game against the Pistons, with Jake LaRavia being the likely replacement if he can't play. |
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Nick Smith Nick Smith Jr. chips in with 21 points vs. SAC
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 6:10 PM
Nick Smith Jr. finished Sunday's win over the Kings with 21 points (8-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, one assist and five three-pointers.
Analysis: Lakers head coach JJ Redick said before Sunday's game that Smith's role would expand as the team moved forward without Austin Reaves, who is sidelined with a calf injury. The two-way contract guard playing 24 minutes was unsurprising, but the output certainly was. Smith notched his second 20-point game as a Laker, finishing four points shy of his season-high. Fantasy managers shouldn't hop onto the Smith bandwagon yet, but they should watch him in Tuesday's game against the Pistons. |
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LeBron James LeBron James scores 24 points vs. Sacramento
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 6:09 PM
LeBron James amassed 24 points (11-of-13 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), three rebounds, five assists, two steals and one three-pointer in Sunday's win over the Kings.
Analysis: As was the case in Thursday's loss to the Rockets, James only attempted 13 shots on Sunday despite Austin Reaves (calf) being unavailable. The difference was that he made 11 against the Kings, and the final stat line only lacked a blocked shot. How much James can help the Lakers defensively at this stage in his career is up for debate, but the team will accept scoring efficiency on par with Sunday's performance as well. Over the past two weeks, James has provided top-40 per-game value in eight- and nine-cat formats. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Don?i? drops game-high 34 points vs. SAC
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 6:08 PM
Luka Don?i? tallied 34 points (11-of-23 FGs, 7-of-8 FTs), five rebounds, seven assists, three steals, one block and five three-pointers in Sunday's win over the Kings.
Analysis: A good tonic for a team struggling defensively is an opponent playing its second game in as many nights. Don?i? and the Lakers rebounded from a poor performance on Christmas Day by soundly defeating the Clippers, and he surpassed 30 points for the first time since returning from a left leg contusion. While no one will describe him as a lockdown defender, Don?i? recorded three steals on Sunday. He and the Lakers play three games in Week 11, starting with the Pistons on Tuesday. |
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Jaxson Hayes Jaxson Hayes (ankle) ruled out vs. Sacramento
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 7:49 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jaxson Hayes (ankle) has been ruled out against the Kings on Sunday.
Analysis: This will officially be a second straight absence for Hayes after he was initially listed as doubtful. Jarred Vanderbilt should fill out the backup center minutes behind Deandre Ayton, though that won't make him worth streaming. |
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Gabe Vincent Gabe Vincent (back) out Sunday vs. Sacramento
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 2:34 PM
NBA Injury Report
Gabe Vincent (back) is out for Sunday's game against the Kings.
Analysis: Vincent has not appeared in a game since December 14. While his continued absence does not affect fantasy basketball, it would help the Lakers to have him available since Austin Reaves (calf) is out. |
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Jaxson Hayes Jaxson Hayes (ankle) doubtful Sunday vs. SAC
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 2:25 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jaxson Hayes (ankle) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Kings.
Analysis: Hayes is on track to miss a second consecutive game with an ankle injury. His absence frees up minutes behind Deandre Ayton, with Jarred Vanderbilt being the most likely beneficiary. There's no need to stream Vanderbilt. |
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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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