Player Grades: Lakers vs. Cavs

Grading every Lakers player’s performance from the team’s 129-99 loss to the Cavs.

Summarized by AI ⓘ

What is the story about?

Another game against a quality team equals another blowout loss for the Lakers. In defeats, the Lakers have continued to have the same problems and they were exposed once again in Cleveland.

LA struggled to slow down the Cavaliers’ offense, and in the third quarter, they got outscored by 20, which essentially ended the game. Points in the paint were also a problem as they lost that battle 60-48.

Barring a trade, the 2025-26 Lakers are what they are at this point. And, it appears that’s a team that’s a player

or two away from being a player or two away from being an elite squad.

So, let’s dive into the loss. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.

LeBron James

27 minutes, 11 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 6 turnovers, 3 fouls, 3-10 FG, 0-3 3PT, 5-6 FT, -23

The Cavs gave LeBron a tribute before the game that moved him to tears. That was touching to see, and with so much uncertainty about his future, it’s clear he’s soaking it all in.

Once play began, LeBron was subpar. He had far too many turnovers and struggled from the field, going 3-10. James tried to tough it out and played in the fourth despite appearing to have hurt his ankle, but the game was far out of reach.

Hopefully, this loss won’t also include a significant injury to James that forces him to miss time. LeBron can only miss one more game if he wants to remain eligible for NBA awards.

Grade: B+

Jake LaRavia

27 minutes, 6 points, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, 2-8 FG, 0-5 3PT, 2-2 FT, -9

This game was all about what LaRavia didn’t do. He had zero rebounds and failed to hit a 3-point shot. Perhaps when Austin Reaves returns, he can go back to the bench where the variance of his performances will hurt the Lakers less.

Grade: D

Deandre Ayton

19 minutes, 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, 4-4 FG, 2-2 FT, -20

On paper, Ayton had a good game. He was perfect from the field, scoring 10 points in 19 minutes. But when you watch the game, you see mediocre defense and a player who couldn’t impose his will on either end of the floor.

Grade: C

Marcus Smart

24 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 1-4 FG, 0-1 3PT, -18

At least Smart got some cardio in while he was in Cleveland.

Grade: C-

Luka Dončić

30 minutes, 29 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, 12-20 FG, 3-8 3PT, 2-6 FT, -23

Luka avoided disaster in the opening quarter when he slipped due to the Cavs’ floor being raised. He exited the game for a moment but was able to return.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick said the elevated floor was a “safety hazard” and that sounds about right.

Dončić continued to play, but it did appear like his ankle was bothering him the rest of the way.

Grade: B-

Gabe Vincent

25 minutes, 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 4-6 FG, 3-5 3PT, -12

Vincent played well in this game and was a bright spot in this loss. That’s not saying much, nor does it change his role on the Lakers, but it was nice to see him make some baskets.

Grade: B

Jaxson Hayes

18 minutes, 7 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 fouls, 3-4 FG, 1-2 FT, -6

Hayes did what he was supposed to do, which is score near the rim and grab the occasional board.

Grade: B

Rui Hachimura

18 minutes, 2 rebounds, 1 block, 1 turnover, 0-7 FG, 0-2 3PT, -17

This was an awful performance from Hachimura. Hopefully, this is just a bump in the road because he looked like he was finding his groove over the last couple of games.

Grade: F

Jarred Vanderbilt

16 minutes, 4 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, 2-7 FG, 0-2 3PT, -11

At least Vanderbilt grabbed a few rebounds in this loss.

Grade: C-

Drew Timme

12 minutes, 6 points, 2 rebounds, 1 turnover, 3-5 FG, 0-2 3PT, -8

Considering that Timme barely reached double-digit minutes and most of that came during garbage time, there isn’t much to learn from his play in this game.

Grade: C-