There will probably not be a more predictable loss on the Lakers’ schedule this season than Monday’s.
After an incredible performance from Austin Reaves on Sunday , LA was running on fumes with two more
rotation players added to the injury report. And predictably, after fighting hard in the first half, the Lakers ran out of steam in the second half, committing a host of turnovers and generally struggling against a Blazers side that kept the pressure turned up defensively.
As a result, there isn’t a lot to take away from this game. But we’ll find the silver linings — and give plenty of praise to Austin Reaves — all the same.
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.
Austin Reaves
39 minutes, 41 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 8 turnovers, 2 fouls, 13-22 FG, 3-8 3PT, 12-14 FT, +0
Fresh off a 51-point game on Sunday, Reaves was the center of attention of everything for both teams. The Lakers were leaning heavily on him offensively and the Blazers were throwing defender after defender at him.
For him to still have as productive a game as he did shows just how good he is. He made a number of incredibly smart plays to draw fouls, as he always does, while manipulating defenders in ball screens to still get open for drives to the rim, mid-range jumpers, floaters or 3-pointers.
He’s a remarkably talented player who is really showing everything he has in his bag to start this season.
Grade: A+
Rui Hachimura
36 minutes, 16 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 6-12 FG, 2-5 3PT, 2-4 FT, -8
Perhaps you would have wanted a bit more from Rui in this one with so many other players out. Even if you hold him to that standard, it wasn’t a bad night.
In that sense, it wasn’t a great night. But it’s hard to be mad at 16 points on efficient scoring as well as 36 minutes on the second night of a back-to-back.
Grade: B+
Deandre Ayton
36 minutes, 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 4 fouls, 8-15 FG, -10
Another player with a heavy workload on the second night of a back-to-back was Ayton, who played another 36 minutes tonight. There were a few moments when you’d like him to still be a bit more physical and imposing, but that’s basically a summary of his career.
If this is his baseline, you’ll take it. This game certainly wasn’t lost because of Ayton and he did a lot to try to win it.
Grade: B+
Jake LaRavia
29 minutes, 3 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 1-6 FG, 0-3 3PT, 1-2 FT, -27
Fresh off what was maybe his best game so far this year, LaRavia struggled again on Monday. So far this season, LaRavia has shown flashes of the player he could be, but hasn’t really put it together for a full game yet.
Against the Blazers, it felt like he was being asked to do a little too much, which led to struggles.
Grade: C-
Jarred Vanderbilt
28 minutes, 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 6-11 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-2 FT, -6
If I was nitpicking, I’d say this was a bit of a deceiving box score. Vando had some real head-scratchers that led to turnovers or empty possession for the Lakers. But, as was the case with everyone, he was being asked to do maybe a little bit more than he was comfortable with, so I won’t nitpick.
Instead, I’ll note that Vando playing 27 minutes against the Kings and 28 minutes against the Blazers in a back-to-back is about is very encouraging to start the season.
Grade: A-
Dalton Knecht
25 minutes, 16 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, 5-13 FG, 2-8 3PT, 4-4 FT, -1
It felt like the second half, head coach JJ Redick really wanted to try to get Dalton going. That could have been by design or by necessity considering how bad the other guard options were.
Either way, it did seem like Knecht finally broke through a bit and found a groove again. With Vincent out, he’s going to have opportunities and minutes available. I liked Redick focusing on running plays for him when he was on the court and the long-term play of getting him in a rhythm.
Grade: B+
Bronny James
20 minutes, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, 0-2 FG, -2
What the preseason and this game has shown is that Bronny is still pretty far away from being able to play in NBA games. He might be at the bottom of the depth chart for guards on the roster.
Grade: F
Nick Smith Jr
20 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 1-5 FG, 0-2 3PT, -13
At least Smith has shown an ability to get his own shot. Is he converting them? No. Is it always the best offense? Also no. But you can see why there was intrigue in signing him with a two-way deal.
Grade: D
Chris Mañon, Christian Koloko
Neither player saw any real playing time in this one so there’s no grade. There’s some intrigue with Mañon, but his preseason injury likely has him behind the eight ball. With Koloko, the Lakers are committed more to playing small ball with Vando at center than Koloko.
JJ Redick
It’s hard to be too critical of Redick in a game like this. The Lakers were always going to be heavy underdogs even if they weren’t playing shorthanded.
As mentioned above, I liked him trying to get Knecht going in the second half and hopefully that pays dividends in the future. He also did just about all he could to rely on Reaves, who played 39 minutes.
If you’re a staunch Koloko fan, you might question why he’s not playing him, but Vando has been playing well.
Grade: B
Monday’s inactives: LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luka Doncic, Gabe Vincent, Adou Thiero, Maxi Kleber, Jaxson Hayes
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
