The Lakers had one of the more odd streaks come to an end this season. Despite being a very average team for the season, the Lakers were undefeated when leading into the fourth. They also still sported a sterling 16-3 record in clutch games.
Both stats were outliers that took a hit on Tuesday. LA led by one entering the final frame and was in a back-and-forth game down the stretch before losing. While they still have the best win percentage in the league in clutch games, it brings them a little closer
to what this team actually is, which is mid.
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
32 minutes, 21 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 5 turnovers, 2 fouls, 8-13 FG, 2-6 3PT, 3-4 FT, -1
LeBron opened the game with 10 points in the first six minutes and looked on pace for a great night. Instead, he was quiet for the next two-and-a-half quarters and missed a free throw late that proved costly. A really promising start turned into a pretty disappointing game.
Grade: B
Marcus Smart
23 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1-2 FG, 1-2 FT, +8
A ho-hum game from Smart, who didn’t have much of an impact in the game.
Grade: C+
Deandre Ayton
32 minutes, 21 points, 13 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, 8-11 FG, 5-5 FT, -2
One of Ayton’s best games in a really long time went to waste. He spent the second quarter punishing the Magic for switching a smaller defender onto him. He was also strong on the boards for most of this one.
Grade: A
Austin Reaves
35 minutes, 18 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, 6-16 FG, 2-5 3PT, 4-4 FT, -4
While he’s had some standout performances against the Sixers and Clippers since returning from injury, it doesn’t feel like Reaves has really found his rhythm. He was a complete bystander in the first half before hitting some big shots in the second half.
Grade: B-
Luka Dončić
38 minutes, 22 points, 9 rebounds, 15 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, 8-24 FG, 2-10 3PT, 4-9 FT, +1
Luka’s night is going to be remembered for the shot he didn’t take at the end of the game, though if his stat line is anything to go off, he would have missed it anyway. It was a pretty inefficient shooting night made better by great playmaking, many of those to Ayton after switches.
But completely passing up the three to win it is just too much to overcome in my books.
Grade: C-
Jake LaRavia
16 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds, 3 fouls, 1-4 FG, 1-3 3PT, +0
LaRavia’s three in the second half of this one was just his second made three since the All-Star break. His 3-point shot absolutely cratering this season has been a really tough blow.
Grade: D
Maxi Kleber
11 minutes, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +1
With Hayes out, Kleber got some short stints in this one. Orlando’s size in the front court was a pretty tough matchup.
Grade: C
Rui Hachimura
26 minutes, 10 points, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 fouls, 4-7 FG, 2-5 3PT, -3
Another player whose night might be defined by the shot he didn’t make. Rui had a chance late to put the Lakers up after Luka found him open in the corner for three. The shot wasn’t even close.
It overshadowed him hitting a pretty big three two minutes prior, but even then, it was too quiet of a night from Rui.
Grade: C
Luka Kennard
15 minutes, 9 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 3-4 FG, 3-4 FT, +1
Kennard has had a pretty funny start to his Lakers career. Most viewed him as a 3-point weapon when the Lakers acquired him, yet he didn’t take a single shot from range on Tuesday. So far, he’s taken 22 twos and 16 threes with the Lakers.
His shots are going in at a crazy clip (65.8%) so you can’t complain too much. It’s just not been what anyone expected.
Grade: B+
Jarred Vanderbilt
12 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 1-2 FG, -6
Vando’s minutes are going down again and so is his impact, creating a chicken-and-the-egg conundrum. So long as teams can sag off Vando and force him to shoot threes, the more his minutes will fluctuate based on matchup.
Grade: D
JJ Redick
Redick drew up a couple of plays late that led to open threes to take the lead. One was an airball and one wasn’t even taken. The Lakers had no answer for Paolo Banchero defensively and the zone defense was a mess at times.
Grade: C
Tuesday’s DNPs: Kobe Bufkin, Dalton Knecht, Drew Timme
Tuesday’s inactives: Jaxson Hayes, Nick Smith Jr., Bronny James, Adou Thiero, Chris Mañon
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
