What a truly hilarious and odd game from the Lakers.
If you simply fell asleep at halftime and woke up for the final minutes of the contest, you’d think it was a straightforward, comfortable win where the Lakers controlled things throughout.
Across the first, second and fourth quarters, the Lakers outscored the Mavs 112-75. They were dominant, especially in the fourth. They simply mixed in one of their worst quarters of the season in the middle of that.
LA was outplayed so thoroughly in the third, losing
the period 35-14, that it almost defied logic, especially in hindsight, given how they responded in the fourth. What do you make of a game like that? I’m not entirely sure. And I don’t know if head coach JJ Redick will know either.
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
37 minutes, 17 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 8-16 FG, 1-3 3PT, -8
A fairly quiet three quarters for LeBron gave way to a fourth quarter where his energy was important in turning the tide. This is the second game in a row where he’s turned it up a notch in the fourth to lead a comeback attempt.
Grade: A-
Jake LaRavia
30 minutes, 13 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, 4-8 FG, 2-6 3PT, 3-4 FT, +12
A more consistent, balanced impact in this one as opposed to the Clippers game where it all came at the beginning.
Grade: B+
Deandre Ayton
24 minutes, 9 points, 11 rebounds, 1 block, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, 4-16 FG, 1-2 FT, -12
When the Lakers are looking to move on from Ayton in the summer or discussing bringing him off the bench, remember this game. Every one of his shot attempts came in the paint, which makes his box score even more staggering.
Grade: F
Marcus Smart
32 minutes, 13 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, 4-10 FG, 2-4 3PT, 3-5 FT, -2
The first three quarters were unmitigated chaos from Smart. At best, there was as much good as bad, but that’s the optimistic take.
He, too, had a strong fourth quarter, though, which brought the Lakers back into it. He and LeBron were the energy spark in the final frame.
Grade: B+
Luka Dončić
39 minutes, 33 points, 8 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 5 turnovers, 2 fouls, 8-15 FG, 3-8 3PT, 14-15 FT, +18
It wasn’t quite as impressive as his first return to Dallas, but it was still a great performance. And he showed up defensively, too!
Grade: A
Gabe Vincent
15 minutes, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 foul, 0-2 FG, 0-2 3PT, +8
Yeah, I’ve got nothing.
Grade: D
Jaxson Hayes
15 minutes, 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 block, 2 fouls, 3-3 FG, +1
One rebound as a seven-footer in 15 minutes is incredible, and not in a good way. He was also struggling defensively, which probably explains why Redick closed with no center on the floor.
Grade: D
Rui Hachimura
27 minutes, 17 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 foul, 6-13 FG, 4-7 3PT, 1-1 FT, +21
What a fourth quarter from Rui. He’s taken to his role off the bench, one that looks like he’s set to remain in moving forward, but showed he can still hit big shots when it matters.
Grade: A
Jarred Vanderbilt
12 minutes, 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, 3-6 FG, 2-3 3PT, 0-2 FT, -4
A solid enough showing from Vando, including a pair of 3-pointers. This was the first game since Dec. 30 where he made multiple threes.
Grade: B+
Drew Timme
Not a bad game from Timme, but not a great one. Redick opted to ride his small ball lineup more in the fourth, so he did not meet the 10-minute requirement.
JJ Redick
To that point, Redick went back to what he believes in, playing a smallball lineup to close this game. Considering the play of Ayton and Hayes, you could hardly blame him. But also, it was a lineup that bludgeoned the Mavs in the fourth.
Grade: A-
Saturday’s DNPs: Bronny James, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht
Saturday’s inactives: Austin Reaves, Nick Smith Jr., Adou Thiero, Chris Mañon
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
