During his Lakers era, Shaquille O’Neal walked into a Beverly Hills Rolls‑Royce showroom in casual clothes, only to be asked by a salesman if he could afford the cars. The challenge spurred Shaq to buy three Rolls‑Royces on the spot, spending about $1.3 million. One of those vehicles, a 2004 Phantom that he owned for 14 years, has just resurfaced on the Bring a Trailer auction site. The story, retold on the Drink Champs podcast and in past interviews, highlights Shaq’s flamboyant spending habit and the salesman’s hefty commission, while the auction listing raises questions about which of the three cars is actually up for sale.
Luka Doncic leads the NBA in scoring (37.7 pts, 8.2 reb, 7.3 ast) as the Lakers sit 5‑2, yet a Fullcourtpass/Kalshi MVP prediction market still favors Victor Wembanyama at 32% over Doncic’s 26%. Wembanyama’s two‑way impact—28.0 pts, 10.7 reb, 4.2 blk and a 48.5% shooting rate, plus Defensive Player of the Year honors—keeps him on top despite fan backlash. The gap has narrowed from 15% in mid‑October, and supporters argue Doncic’s offensive surge could flip the race as the season progresses.
The Los Angeles Lakers' defense hasn't been amazing, but Walker Kessler's has been.
The Los Angeles Lakers host the Miami Heat Monday night, Nov. 2, at Crypto.com Arena with tip‑off at 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET). The Lakers (5‑2) ride Luka Doncic’s 45‑point, 15‑rebound win over Toronto, while the Heat (2‑4) look to extend a two‑game streak after a 0‑4 start. Key storylines: Doncic (37.7 ppg league‑leading) vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo (28.2 ppg, 12.3 reb, 5.5 ast) in his first season with Miami, and the return of Laker forward Ziaire Williams after a foot injury. Lakers list Adou Thiero (out, knee) and Heat list Tim Hardaway Jr. (questionable, personal). Game airs on Spectrum SportsNet (L.A.)/WPLG Local 10 (Miami) and streams via NBA League Pass or Prime Video in India. Expected starters feature Doncic‑Reaves backcourt, Kessler‑Williams frontcourt for L.A., and Mitchell‑Thompson guard duo with Giannis‑Wiggins forward line for Miami.
JJ Redick praises Lakers forward Sandro Mamukelashvili as a “rare” offensive talent, highlighting his ability to create, finish, and connect on the court. After a breakout 2025‑26 season with the Toronto Raptors—averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while finishing 10th in Sixth Man voting—the Lakers signed him to a four‑year, $52 million deal. In his first seven Lakers games his presence lifts the team’s offensive rating by 4.4 points per 100 possessions, despite a dip to 33.3% from three. Redick notes Mamukelashvili’s versatile skill set lets him space, screen, drive and act as a secondary playmaker, offering new options when Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves attack defenses. The next test comes Monday at 7 p.m. against the Miami Heat.
Jake LaRavia was already such an impactful role player, but now that he's making his threes, he's become indispensable for the Lakers.
Luka Dončić posts a historic 45‑point, 15‑rebound, eight‑three‑pointer, five‑steal line in the Lakers’ 131‑125 win over Toronto on Sunday, becoming the first NBA player ever to hit all those marks in one game. He adds six assists, giving him a unique 45‑15‑5‑5‑5 stat line. By halftime he had 24 points, eight boards, four assists and a career‑high five steals, the first player since the 1997‑98 play‑by‑play era to record 20‑5‑5‑5 before the break. The performance fuels his early‑season MVP case as L.A. improves to 5‑2, despite a late‑game collapse.
ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins and fellow commentator Tim MacMahon both hail Dallas guard Cooper Flagg as a current top‑10 NBA talent, saying his 26.8 points, 6.6 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game have propelled the Mavericks to a 4‑2 start and a four‑game winning streak. MacMahon insists the Mavericks would never trade Flagg for Luka Doncic, citing age and contract considerations. Flagg’s recent 33‑point, 9‑rebound performance in a 116‑111 win over Houston underscores his all‑around impact as Dallas prepares to face Sacramento on Monday.
The Lakers are treating Ziaire Williams’ foot soreness as a day‑to‑day issue after he missed the last three games. Coach JJ Redick says the irritation is minor and the team is being cautious with the upcoming back‑to‑back. In Williams’ absence, Jake LaRavia has stepped in, posting 6.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and solid shooting in three outings. Before the injury, Williams was averaging a career‑high 11.3 points and helping the Lakers outscore opponents by 29 points in 114 minutes. Los Angeles beat the Raptors 131‑125 on Sunday, improving to 5‑2, and will try to notch a sixth win against Miami on Monday at Crypto.com Arena.
Luka Dončić erupts for a historic 45‑point performance as the Lakers beat the Raptors 131‑125, showcasing a dramatic defensive upgrade with five steals and three drawn charges. The Slovenian star becomes the first player ever to log 45 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, five steals and eight threes in a game, while also drawing a league‑best 5‑plus charges. Teammate Walker Kessler and coach JJ Redick applaud his high‑IQ, vocal defense, noting its impact on his MVP contention. Dončić now leads the league at 37.7 PPG, the highest scoring pace since Michael Jordan’s 1986‑87 season.
When LeBron James decided not to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, the NBA legend considered signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors before choosing the Philadelphia 76ers.
Mark Walter is shopping his Cadillac F1 team following deals to sell the Los Angeles Lakers and Chelsea FC amid two federal investigations.
Luka Doncic, now with the Los Angeles Lakers, drops 45 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals in a 131‑125 win over the Toronto Raptors. He acknowledges past defensive criticism but says he’s taken a big step forward and even jokes he’d like both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year honors. The performance pushes the Lakers to a 5‑2 start, fourth in the West, as they gear up for a matchup with Miami on Monday.
Byron Scott only sees one real superstar on the Lakers.
A viral video from the Lakers' 131-125 win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday shows two women in low-cut tops laughing as arena cameras catch them, then an older man—presumed to be a dad—quickly jumps into the frame with a grin and a two‑finger salute. The clip sparked playful comments on Twitter, with the father’s rapid “shut it down” reaction highlighted. Meanwhile, Luka Dončić posted a historic performance, tallying 37 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and five steals, becoming the first point guard to record five steals and five threes in a half. The Lakers now host the Miami Heat on Monday.
Luka Doncic says his defensive game has taken a “step forward” despite lingering criticism. In the Lakers’ 131‑125 win over Toronto on Sunday, he logged five steals, three forced charges and 15 defensive rebounds while scoring 45 points. Both coach JJ Redick and teammate Walker Kessler praised the effort, noting his improved rotations and rebounding. While the Lakers still struggled—allowing 43 fourth‑quarter points—the added defensive contributions could help balance the team when his shooting slumps.
Just like last season with the 76ers, Quentin Grimes has been struggling from beyond the arc for his new ball club.
Luka Doncic dazzles with 37.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game in his first six outings, including a 45‑point, 15‑rebound effort in a 131‑125 win over Toronto. Despite the numbers and a 5‑2 Lakers record, ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins argues the MVP race favors players on top‑three Western teams, doubting the Lakers will finish that high and favoring Victor Wembanyama instead. The piece breaks down Doncic’s stats, the Lakers’ standing, and Perkins’ skepticism about the MVP odds.
After the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors on Sunday (11/1), Luka Dončić spoke about his impressive defensive performance.
Luka Doncic powers the Lakers to a 131‑125 win over the Raptors, dropping 45 points, 15 rebounds and six assists at Crypto.com Arena. Los Angeles builds a 26‑point third‑quarter lead, shooting 54% from the field, while Toronto’s Scottie Barnes tallies 29 points in a losing effort. The Raptors rally with a 43‑27 fourth quarter but fall short. The victory lifts the Lakers to 5‑2, first in the Pacific, and drops the Raptors to 3‑3 in the Atlantic. Key contributions also come from Austin Reaves (19 points) and Walker Kessler (16 points, 15 rebounds).
Scottie Barnes erupts in the Raptors' NBA Cup opener, dropping 41 points against Orlando and following it with 29 against the Lakers as he embraces a more aggressive scoring role while Kawhi Leonard remains sidelined. Barnes now averages 24.8 points per game over six contests, aiming to set a new career high. Meanwhile, center Jakob Poeltl sits out with shoulder bursitis and will be re‑evaluated before the Clippers game, and former Raptor Sandro Mamukelashvili reflects on his gratitude to Toronto after signing a $52 million deal with the Lakers. Coach Darko Rajakovic says Leonard is “doing well,” with a health update expected Tuesday.
Austin Reaves nearly left the Lakers’ 131-125 win over the Toronto Raptors on a bizarre note when he handed his signature headband to a fan, thinking the game was sealed. With a 125-109 lead and 1:43 left, bench coach JJ Redick pulled the reserves, and the Raptors surged, cutting the margin to six in under a minute thanks to Jamison Battle’s threes and an and‑one by Jaden Bradley. Reaves had to retrieve his headband before re‑entering with Luka Doncic and Walker Kessler. The Lakers survived the scare, improving to 5‑2, while Doncic posted 45 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.
The Miami Heat, fresh off two consecutive wins after an 0-4 season start, launch their five‑game West Coast swing against a Luka Doncic‑led Dallas Mavericks and the 5‑2 Los Angeles Lakers. The preview highlights Doncic’s early‑season dominance, the Lakers’ strong record, and Miami’s quest for a third straight victory on the road.
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of a handful of teams interested in potentially acquiring Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones from the New Orleans Pelicans, per Clutch Points' Chris Dodson.
The Lakers edge the Raptors 131-125 after Toronto erased a 15‑point fourth‑quarter lead, outscoring L.A. 43‑25 in the final period. With 43.7 seconds left and the lead down to five, JJ Redick yanks his starters back, then lashes out at his bench for the near‑collapse and criticizes the referees for questionable calls that led to 24 Lakers turnovers. Redick vows to keep his starters in late‑game situations and calls out defensive fouls as a league‑wide issue.