Welcome to the Luka Dončić period of Lakers basketball.
By simply having him on the roster, the Lakers had been in a position to snap their Clippers curse on Tuesday. The final time that they had crushed their crosstown rivals once they didn’t have Russell Westbrook on the roster was to kick off play within the bubble.
Sure, actually.
From the leap on Tuesday, the Lakers had been the aggressors. The truth is, the Clippers, who had been at full power sans Cam Christie, regarded just like the crew that simply had a stunning mid-season commerce to reshape their complete identification.
The Lakers constructed on their win in Madison Sq. Backyard by persevering with to search out success by spreading out the ground, making 3-pointers and taking part in quick. MIx in crew rebounding, taking good care of the ball and a connectivity on protection and also you get a dominant efficiency.
So, let’s dive into the win. As at all times, grades are primarily based on expectations for every participant. A “B” grade represents the typical efficiency for that participant.
Rui Hachimura
34 minutes, 20 factors, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 7-14 FG, 4-8 3PT, 2-2 FT, +15
In his closing recreation earlier than the commerce deadline, Rui made one final impassioned plea to stay round. After lacking a pair pictures early, he barely missed any extra the remainder of the sport.
Add in some hustle performs to assist get some rebounds and also you get a robust Rui recreation. There’s a great case to be made that he could possibly be one of many greatest beneficiaries of Luka being on the crew now, but when the Lakers are going to land a middle, somebody has to go.
Grade: A-
LeBron James
31 minutes, 26 factors, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 3 steals, 8-13 FG, 2-4 3PT, 8-11 FT, +19
Luka, welcome to the LeBron James Period?
Clearly, Luka goes to be the face of this franchise for the longer term. However LeBron is displaying how a lot he has left within the tank within the final two video games. We’re effectively previous the purpose of attempting to know what he’s doing at this age.
He’s placing up stat strains that will be spectacular for 22-year-olds. He’s almost twice that age.
Grade: A
Jaxson Hayes
24 minutes, 6 factors, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 3-6 FG, 0-1 FT, +14
You realize what, hats off to Jaxson Hayes.
Since AD went down with damage after which was traded, he has been greater than stable. He first handled AD very publicly asking for one more middle after which everybody on this planet, together with Rob Pelinka, saying they wanted a middle and he’s responded impressively on the court docket.
Grade: B+
Dorian Finney-Smith
24 minutes, 7 factors, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3-7 FG, 1-3 3PT, +13
Contemplating the Lakers are assuredly going to begin LeBron, Luka and Austin Reaves, this is likely to be the start of a protracted spell within the beginning lineup for DFS. He had his typical regular recreation, doing the little issues. He additionally will get credit score for a way good the centerless lineups have regarded when he’s on the ground.
Grade: B+
Austin Reaves
half-hour, 20 factors, 6 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 block, 7-13 FG, 3-7 3PT, 3-3 FT, +9
Get pleasure from your closing video games as the place to begin guard, Austin. He’s stuffed in magnificently since D’Angelo Russell was traded, however I feel Luka may take that mantle again now.
Nonetheless, Austin unlocking this a part of his recreation goes to do wonders for him and the Lakers offense as soon as Luka debuts.
Grade: A-
Gabe Vincent
22 minutes, 12 factors, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 4-10 FG, 4-8 3PT, +10
Are we lastly seeing Miami Warmth Gabe Vincent? It took almost a season-and-a-half however he’s regarded actually good for fairly some time now.
He bought a little bit wild as soon as the sport was out of hand within the second half, however he additionally did greater than sufficient to assist them construct that lead.
Grade: B+
Jarred Vanderbilt
18 minutes, 6 factors, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 2-3 FG, 1-1 3PT, 1-2 FT, +21
It’ll be fascinating how rapidly Vando’s minutes go up now. There’s a large gap at taking pictures guard for the Lakers and it could possibly be stuffed by Vando,
Nonetheless, the 18 minutes he performed on Tuesday had been probably the most since his return. The extra he can play, the higher it’s for the Lakers as a result of he’s everywhere, in a great way, on each ends of the ground.
Grade: B+
Dalton Knecht
21 minutes, 14 factors, 4 rebounds, 1 help, 6-9 FG, 2-4 3PT, +15
One other participant who may see a giant bump taking part in alongside Luka could possibly be Dalton, He’s about to get a complete lot of open seems to be, which implies it’s a great factor he appears to have discovered his shot once more.
Grade: A-
Shake Milton
20 minutes, 4 factors, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, +12
The Clippers had been so dangerous that Shake even had a midway respectable recreation in opposition to them. He, too, has had a great response after Bronny James performed over him in Philly.
However take pleasure in these closing two video games of taking part in time as a result of Luka is about to take all these minutes.
Grade: B-
Bronny James, Trey Jemison III, Armel Traore
Shoutout to Bronny for his first 3-pointer and Jemison for a monster dunk in rubbish time.
JJ Redick
To get the crew to play like that given what they’ve needed to undergo during the last 48 hours is about as spectacular a training efficiency as there may be. He’s pushing all the precise buttons and issues are actually clicking with the crew.
Grade: A
Tuesday’s DNPs: Markieff Morris
Tuesday’s inactives: Cam Reddish, Luka Doncic, Christian Wooden, Maxi Kleber, Christian Koloko
You’ll be able to observe Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.
