The Lakers having a bounceback outing in itself was encouraging on Sunday. That it started on the defensive end, though, is perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the performance.
In the opening quarter, they set a defensive tone, turning the Raptors over nine times with seven steals and 14 points off turnovers. While Luka had his typical strong first quarter, that the Raptors shot just 8-22 in the opening period shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Now, about those dang turnovers. now…
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.
Matisse Thybulle
25 minutes, 6 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1 foul, 1 turnover, 2-6 FG, 2-4 3PT, +10
On a roster where players are turning down open shots, it’s nice to see Thybulle never turn down an opportunity for a no-dip 3-pointer.
Grade: B-
Jake LaRavia
25 minutes, 8 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 3 fouls, 2 turnovers, 3-6 FG, 2-3 3PT, +6
With really only one notable hiccup against the Warriors, LaRavia has been fantastic this season. Tonight was another game where he made an impact on both ends of the floor.
Grade: B+
Walker Kessler
31 minutes, 16 points, 15 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 3 fouls, 2 turnovers, 6-6 FG, 4-4 FT, +11
A very quiet big night for Kessler in this one, at least offensively. He did a great job defensively of deterring shots at the rim. Teams are clearly targeting taking him away as a roller and there will be an adjustment period. But he’s still finding ways to be impactful.
Grade: A-
Austin Reaves
38 minutes, 19 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 fouls, 3 turnovers, 6-16 FG, 2-7 3PT, 5-6 FT, +14
It was shaping up to be another pretty quiet night from Austin before he helped seal the game with some important buckets and free throws late. He’s in a bit of a rut after a strong start, but there’s no reason to believe he won’t break out of it.
Grade: C+
Luka Dončić
35 minutes, 45 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals, 1 block, 5 fouls, 7 turnovers, 12-23 FG, 8-12 3PT, 13-13 FT, +27
What else is there to say about Luka? He’s off to the best start of his career, which is actually a really high bar. His defense was great on Sunday and his offense was spectacular. This is how an MVP-caliber season starts.
Grade: A+
Quentin Grimes
25 minutes, 7 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 foul, 4 turnovers, 2-4 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2-4 FT, +5
Whether it’s indecision or trying to find his role or something else, Grimes is thinking far too much on the court. You can see the moments when he should be playing instinctively but is instead trying to think of the right play to make.
How do you get him out of that funk? Because the Lakers badly need him as another creator for himself and others.
Grade: D+
Sandro Mamukelashvili
23 minutes, 11 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 4-7 FG, +7
Mamu was solid as a scorer but didn’t offer a whole lot else. That’s not necessarily a bad thing as the team needed scoring off the bench, particularly after last game.
Grade: B
Jarred Vanderbilt
12 minutes, 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 fouls, 1 turnover, 2-2 FG, -12
Vando is a good rebounder as a forward. Probably even a great one. For a backup center, though, he is not a good rebounder. Nor is Mamu. Which means the Lakers are hemorrhaging rebounds when they share the floor.
Though, to be fair, they’re hemorrhaging rebounds at basically all points of the game.
Grade: C
Collin Sexton
19 minutes, 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 fouls, 1 turnover, 6-10 FG, 1-3 3PT, 1-2 FT, -9
On paper, Sexton looked like maybe the best player off the bench tonight. And he had a couple good scoring spurts. But he also had more bad than good stretches overall.
Grade: C-
Bronny James, Cameron Carr, Jaden Hardy
You can chalk up seeing Bronny James or Jaden Hardy get any meaningful minutes anytime soon after that shambolic performance. Cameron Carr’s debut deserved better.
JJ Redick
There were a few moments where it felt like a timeout could have been called to quell a Raptors run. But he also was good with his challenge, including briefly saving Luka from a fifth foul.
Sunday’s DNPs: Kevon Looney
Sunday’s inactives: Ziaire Williams, Arthur Kaluma, Adou Thiero, Chris Manon, Lawson Lovering
