Raise your hand if you had some doubts about LeBron James this season.
Everyone’s hand is raised? Good. Because even the most optimistic LeBron and Lakers fans had reason for concern for his start this
season.
Sunday went some way in squashing all that.
One game doesn’t mean he’s fully back, but it shows that it’s still in there at the very least and the Lakers needed every bit of it on Sunday. With everyone else going ice cold down the stretch, LeBron took over with a pair of huge jump shots and celebrated in style.
Welcome back, King.
So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.
LeBron James
34 minutes, 29 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, 12-17 FG, 4-6 3PT, 1-2 FT, +1
To say this was LeBron’s best game of his young season would be an understatement. This was a LeBron performance that felt like his games around the trade deadline last season.
From start to finish, he brought a high energy level that led the team on a night when it was needed. A huge performance from him even before the clutch shots down the stretch.
Grade: A
Rui Hachimura
36 minutes, 17 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 fouls, 7-12 FG, 3-7 3PT, +7
It felt like Rui took about 12 shots from the same spot in the corner on Sunday. It was only seven and he hit a respectable three of them. There were a couple of other moments that were frustrating defensively, whether it was letting Embiid hit one of his few jumpers or ball-watching instead of chasing down a loose ball.
In the grand scheme, it was still a very good night. He hit down some important jumpers throughout the game and helped save Austin’s insane over-the-head pass.
Grade: A-
Deandre Ayton
31 minutes, 14 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 4 fouls, 7-7 FG, +10
A perfect night shooting for Ayton, who held up more than well against both Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond. And then he capped it off with another hilarious postgame media scrum.
Grade: A-
Austin Reaves
39 minutes, 11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 3-16 FG, 2-6 3PT, 3-5 FT, +1
A really off night for Austin, who never really could get things going. He had a brief stretch in the first half where he converted a tough layup at the rim and then knocked down a 3-pointer. But that was basically all of his scoring production for this one.
Grade: F
Luka Dončić
39 minutes, 31 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 blocks, 5 turnovers, 1 fouls, 9-24 FG, 2-9 3PT, 11-14 FT, +12
It wasn’t a particularly efficient game from Luka, but you can understand how a cross-Atlantic flight might have drained him of some of his energy, let alone the fact he just became a father.
And yet, he had a 30-point triple-double. You’ll take it!
Grade: A
Jake LaRavia
17 minutes, 4 points, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, 1-4 FG, 1-4 3PT, 1-2 FT, +12
He took a blow to the face in the first half that forced him out of the game and into the locker room. Once he came back, he was mediocre. He was solid defensively against Paul George — I’m not sure how hard that is in 2025 — but also missed some open threes.
Grade: C–
Jaxson Hayes
17 minutes, 3 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, 5 fouls, 1-1 FG, 1-4 FT, -6
The stats do paint a picture of a decent game, particularly the three blocks. He had one really big one in the first half.
But he also picked up a terrible foul on Embiid in the fourth quarter for his fifth foul and he did not see the court again that was really frustrating.
Grade: C+
Gabe Vincent
19 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebound, 1-3 FG, 1-3 3PT -10
There’s not going to be a lot said here that isn’t normally said about Vincent. His light was a little too green in this game and his transition three in the first half was a wild shot.
Grade: D
Adou Thiero, Jarred Vanderbilt
A Vando cameo! Did it go well? Not really! But he played about five minutes, so it’s harsh to judge him on that. But the fact his first involvement of the game was a WIDE open corner 3-pointer that he missed painted a pretty clear picture of why he wasn’t playing.
JJ Redick
A good challenge from Redick in the first half. Some good timeouts to stem the momentum for the Sixers, too. He probably deserves to be knocked a bit for continuing to play Vincent at this point, though.
Grade: B+
Sunday’s DNPs: Bronny James, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht
Sunday’s inactives: Chris Mañon, Marcus Smart, Drew Timme, Nick Smith Jr.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
