The Lakers’ offense looks explosive but may be more sustainable than fans think. The team now ranks ninth in 3‑point attempts (46% of shots) and tops the league in 3‑point percentage, catch‑and‑shoot accuracy, and wide‑open shooting, while still posting the second‑best field‑goal percentage in the paint thanks to Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton and Quentin Grimes. Coach JJ Redick’s modern, three‑heavy scheme appears to be paying off, despite early concerns about Luka Dončić’s long‑range volume. Defensively, the Lakers excel in steals, blocks and points off turnovers but struggle with turnovers, opponent second‑chance points and rebounding. The article argues the offense’s strengths and defensive quirks suggest it isn’t a flash‑in‑the‑pan performance.
The Los Angeles Lakers discovered in their second meeting with the Clippers that defensive intensity leads to a lot of good things.
The Lakers could trade Jaden Hardy or waive Bronny James as they seek upgrades, according to Jovan Buha.
Ziaire Williams returns to the Lakers after a three‑game layoff due to unexplained foot soreness, contributing nine points on 3‑of‑6 three‑pointers, two rebounds, two assists and a steal in a 138‑117 win over Miami. The rookie says he’s “in good hands” with the team’s medical staff and expects to play again Wednesday. Despite a career marred by injuries—averaging just 53.8 games a season—Williams has been a key scoring and defensive piece alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. With him back, coach JJ Redick must balance minutes among Williams, Matisse Thybulle, Jake LaRavia and Walker Kessler as the Lakers prepare to face Sacramento.
Before the Warriors’ high‑profile game against the Los Angeles Lakers, 37‑year‑old Stephen Curry treated the Chase Center crowd to a rare pre‑game dunk. After a soft toss from a staff member, Curry sprinted two strides and slammed a one‑handed dunk, then returned to his famed shooting routine. The article highlights Curry’s modest 35.5‑inch vertical, his career‑long total of 30 official game dunks—peaking with seven during his 2015‑16 MVP season—and his own remarks that dunking drains more energy than his three‑point artillery. The moment underscores Curry’s lingering athleticism amid his shooting‑focused legacy.
The Los Angeles Lakers have the best offense in the NBA, and Luka Doncic is just getting started.
Head coach JJ Redick praised his Lakers for a dramatic defensive turnaround against the Miami Heat on Monday night. After a 72‑point first‑half where LA trailed by only seven, the Lakers limited Miami to just 45 points in the second half, sealing a 136‑118 win. Redick highlighted halftime adjustments that forced the Heat to reset and slowed their record‑fast 10.4‑second possessions, resulting in a 95.7 defensive rating for the half. He called the team’s response “awesome,” noting the shift from 40 points allowed early to just 16 in the latter half. The victory could signal a needed boost for a Lakers squad that ranks 18th defensively despite a top‑tier offense.
The Lakers huge offseason has been paying huge dividends so far.
On September 28, Royse City police stopped former NBA star J.R. Smith on a Texas highway after spotting a warrant for assault. While confirming the warrant, the officers—a self‑confessed Mavericks fan among them— chatted about basketball, with one calling LeBron James “He who shall not be named” and claiming James “stole Luka” in the recent Luka Doncic trade. After the banter, Smith is handcuffed, released on a $5,000 bond and his lawyer affirms his presumption of innocence. The body‑cam footage, shared by the New York Post, has amassed over a million views on X.
The Los Angeles Lakers need to give Quentin Grimes the tools to pull himself out of his shooting slump if they want to maximize his impact.
We're not deep into the Los Angeles Lakers' season, but there's already indications about which offseason acquisitions were the right ones.
The Lakers (6‑2) head to Sacramento for Game 9 against the 1‑6 Kings, aiming to avoid a repeat of their Jan. 12 loss that sparked a three‑game skid. Fresh from back‑to‑back wins over Toronto and Miami and riding Luka Dončić’s historic MVP‑level play, the L.A. club looks to blend its youthful, high‑motor roster—featuring Dončić, Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt and rookie Bronny James—against a Kings lineup missing Keegan Murray, Maxime Raynaud and Ben Simmons. With both teams on one day’s rest, the Lakers hold a +8.8 point differential versus Sacramento’s –12.1, and the preview highlights possible minutes for Cameron Carr and key reserves on both sides.
The Kings host the Lakers on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) in Sacramento. After snapping a six‑game skid with a 115‑100 win over Dallas, Sacramento seeks its first season victory against a 6‑2 Lakers squad fresh from a 138‑point outburst vs. Miami. Fans can watch on Spectrum SportsNet+ (Lakers market), NBC Sports California/Peacock (Kings market) or NBA League Pass elsewhere. Injuries loom: the Kings are without Keegan Murray (ankle capsulitis), Maxime Raynaud (patellar subluxation) and likely Dylan Cardwell (calf strain), with Zach LaVine questionable. The Lakers list Adou Thiero (knee) out and monitor Walker Kessler’s finger splint, but otherwise remain healthy. The matchup pits Luka Dončić’s offense against a depleted Sacramento frontcourt.
The Los Angeles Lakers (6-2) have gotten off to a strong start to the 2026-27 season, but clear weaknesses remain.
Bill Simmons lashes out at the Miami Heat’s newest acquisition, Klay Thompson, after the team’s 138-117 loss to the Lakers. He highlights Miami’s 27th‑ranked defensive rating (119.8 per 100 possessions) and questions why the veteran sharpshooter, who posted 25 points against the Pacers, is still on the floor despite his defensive lapses. The podcast notes that opponents are exploiting Thompson’s reduced lateral quickness in pick‑and‑rolls, forcing Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo to scramble and jeopardizing the Heat’s interior protection. Coach Erik Spoelstra defends Thompson’s overall impact, but the article probes how long Miami can afford his defensive liabilities.
The New York Liberty have dismissed head coach Chris DeMarco after a 26-18 season that ended with a semifinal sweep by the Atlanta Dream, prompting GM Jonathan Kolb to search for his fourth head‑coach hire. The article outlines three top candidates: former player‑coach Kristi Toliver, who boasts NBA and WNBA experience and aligns with the league’s recent champion coaches; Lakers assistant Lindsey Harding, another female of color with a strong playing résumé; and 30‑year‑old Andrew Wade, a former video coordinator turned player‑development coach who could bring fresh ideas. Kolb’s choice will be under intense scrutiny for both on‑court success and cultural impact.
The NBA reverses a technical foul called on Luka Doncic during a Nov. 4 game against Miami, leaving him with only one tech on the season—a crucial detail as 16 techs trigger an automatic one‑game suspension and $5,000 fine. The overturned call still counts on the scoreboard, trimming the Lakers’ lead after Klay Thompson’s free throw. The decision comes as Doncic, now averaging 38.3 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in seven games, fuels early MVP chatter, while fans debate his on‑court conduct after being passed over for Western Conference Player of the Week in favor of Victor Wembanyama. Keeping Doncic on the floor is vital for a Lakers team reshaping its Western Conference hopes.
Agent Rich Paul refutes the notion that the Los Angeles Lakers have improved simply because LeBron James left. Speaking with Max Kellerman on the Mind the Game podcast, Paul attributes the team’s recent uptick to upgraded personnel and a tighter defensive scheme, not the former star’s departure. The discussion underscores how the Lakers are reshaping their identity post‑LeBron.
Rich Paul says LeBron James is enjoying a different experience with the Philadelphia 76ers than he had during his final seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers.
The post Rich Paul says LeBron James is playing with more joy in Philadelphia appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
The Lakers (6‑2) travel to Sacramento for a Nov. 4 showdown at the Golden 1 Center against the struggling Kings (1‑6). After bouncing back with two straight wins—boosted by Luka Dončić’s hot streak—Los Angeles aims to cement a top‑four Western spot, relying on depth from Quentin Grimes, Colin Sexton, Walker Kessler and Jake LaRavia. Sacramento, ranked 22nd in points per game and 25th in offensive rating, leans on veterans Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and rookie Darius Acuff Jr., who averages 26.1 points. Injuries: Lakers list Adou Thiero out; Kings miss Keegan Murray, Maxime Raynaud and Ben Simmons, with Precious Achiuwa doubtful. The matchup pits LA’s firepower against a low‑ranking foe on the road.
NBA analyst Bill Simmons calls Lakers guard Luka Doncic the “most insufferable” player he’s seen, criticizing the Slovenian’s constant complaints to refs and on‑court demeanor. While praising Doncic’s elite offensive talent, Simmons says the star’s negativity and foul‑seeking behavior have become a distraction, even noting LeBron James’ apparent irritation last season. Despite the backlash, Doncian shrugged off a recent technical foul after a Lakers win over Miami, continuing his MVP‑caliber scoring streak.
After the Lakers’ 138-117 win over the Miami Heat lifted them to a 6-2 start, Austin Reaves cautions that the roster’s nine new faces still need time to gel. Reaves, who dropped 27 points on 10‑of‑15 shooting, highlighted Luka Dončić’s 42‑point, 13‑assist performance as a catalyst that opens the floor for everyone. He notes rookie guard Walker’s adjustment period and emphasizes steady, right‑play decisions as the team navigates growing pains. Reaves’ realistic outlook underscores that the hot start is just the beginning of a longer chemistry‑building process.
Lakers are nearly healthy for Western Conference matchup against Kings.
Eight games into the 2026‑27 season Luka Doncic is averaging a league‑leading 38.3 points, 8 rebounds and 8.1 assists, with recent outings of 42 points/13 assists vs. Miami and 45 points/15 rebounds versus Toronto. Despite his scoring surge, Ringer founder Bill Simmons slams Doncic’s on‑court demeanor, calling his frequent tech‑fouls and referee confrontations “insufferable.” Simmons’ critique spikes as Doncic, who boasts the most 40‑point/10‑assist/5‑three‑pointer games in NBA history (19), continues to collect technical fouls despite a pre‑season pledge to curb them. Fans and peers, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, defend the Slovenian’s talent, igniting a debate over his behavior versus brilliance.
Lakers coach JJ Redick praises the team’s offensive surge after a 138‑117 victory over the Miami Heat, highlighting a 57.3% field‑goal rate, 44.2% from three, and a season‑high 39 assists. Luka Doncic exploded for 42 points and 13 assists, while Austin Reaves added 27, showcasing the Lakers’ top‑ranked offensive rating, FG% and true‑shooting percentage. Redick applauds how the squad handled Miami’s double‑teams and blitzes, stressing continued room for improvement despite the strong start to the eighth game. He credits Doncic’s draw‑and‑kick ability and the players’ decisive closeout reads for the fluid ball movement.