The start of this game had all the makings of a game in Milwaukee amidst a November road trip.
The Lakers entered the game with Quentin Grimes (right finger sprain) being the only player unavailable but left it with Luka Dončić rolling his ankle, Austin Reaves tweaking his left heel and Collin Sexton bloodied after an incidental headbutt with Ryan Rollins.
Despite the start and the injuries, Los Angeles took care of business and carries a six-game win streak into Phoenix to close out its first extended
road trip of the season.
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.
Jake LaRavia
21 minutes, 0 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 0-4 FG, +14
The box score didn’t treat LaRavia the best this game, but his impact continues to defy counting stats. Fifty-fifty balls, defense, running in transition, all factors in the Lakers being a plus-14 while LaRavia was on the floor.
Grade: B+
Walker Kessler
29 minutes, 10 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 steal, 4 fouls, 5-10 FG, +19
I thought Kessler started this game a bit too passive around the rim defensively and it set the tone for the rest of his game. Nonetheless, he was yet again a crucial conduit between the Lakers’ defensive and offensive production.
Grade: B
Matisse Thybulle
23 minutes, 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, 3-6 FG, 2-4 3PT, +4
It took Thybulle a half to really make his impact felt, but he continues to be a steady producer on both sides of the ball. Steals, deflections and threes have defined his impact this season and it was the same tonight.
Grade: B
Luka Dončić
32 minutes, 32 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 turnovers, 3 steals, 10-25 FG, 5-12 3PT, 7-10 FT, +21
Luka makes it nine straight 30-point games but tweaked his ankle with around four minutes left in the game and the Lakers up by 20. Dončić was good, again, but started this game with a questionable shot diet and committed some lousy turnovers.
Of course you take the good with the bad, but Dončić’s start of the game held him back from this being another all-around great game.
Grade: A-
Austin Reaves
25 minutes, 18 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 6-10 FG, 1-3 3PT, 5-5 FT, +23
Before leaving the game with his injury, Reaves was the ying to Dončić’s yang, providing the Lakers with balance, a steady shot diet and conservative ball handling. If it weren’t for the injury, Reaves was well on his way to yet another efficient 20-plus-point outing.
Grade: A
Sandro Mamukelashvili
26 minutes, 23 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 9-15 FG, 5-8 3PT, +21
Mamu is stringing together some of the best games of his Lakers tenure. His connectivity was on full display tonight, draining threes and seemingly switching onto everyone on defense. His ability to relieve stress both in transition and in the half-court on offense remains invaluable.
Should Reaves or Dončić miss time, having someone like Mamu is a luxury.
Grade: A+
Ziaire Williams
20 minutes, 9 points, 5 assists, 2 steals, 4-5 FG, 1-1 3PT, +11
Speaking of continued production, Williams remained a consistent bench player tonight. His defensive intensity, especially on Tyler Herro leading to a scuffle, is an important aspect in keeping an otherwise below-average group above water. It also helps when he makes his threes.
Grade: B+
Collin Sexton
13 minutes, 10 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 1 steal, 4-8 FG, 0-3 3PT, 2-2 FT, +1
It’s been an up-and-down season for Sexton thus far, but he continues to show improved poise when handling the ball in the non-Luka minutes. However, it still feels like he takes up a little too much of the usage when sharing the floor with Reaves.
Grade: B
Cameron Carr
13 minutes, 0 points, 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 0-3 3PT, -13
This road trip was good for the rookie, who got some real minutes in a couple of games. Tonight was evidence that Carr is still getting his footing and adjusting to the pace of the game. Aside from diving on the floor for a ball he lost, I feel we’re still yet to really see how much of an impact he can have on the floor.
Grade: B-
Jarred Vanderbilt
Vando played just nine minutes, but each of them was impactful. He brought instant energy in his first shift and continues to show improved aggression around the rim. He’s had four points.
Bronny James, Jaden Hardy, Kevon Looney
James, Hardy and Looney each played four minutes of garbage time after Dončić rolled his ankle and, yet again, almost blew a lead. Each of them was a minus-13 in their shift. Hardy has the greenest light in the NBA, James remains passive and susceptible to pressure and Looney took the floor for the first time in weeks (give him some grace).
JJ Redick
Redick admitted that tonight could have easily been a trap game given how the team started. Many will also dock him for keeping Dončić in the game with four minutes left while up 20 when he eventually tweaked his ankle, but his explanation that the star wouldn’t have been out there if Sexton didn’t go down was reasonable.
The Lakers are on a seven-game win streak and Redick is pushing all the right buttons.
Grade: A
Wednesday’s DNPs: Carson Cooper
Wednesday’s Inactives: Quentin Grimes
You can follow Connor on Twitter at @cmorenoNBA.
