Ahead of Wednesday’s Lakers‑Clippers matchup, head coach JJ Redick says the team may slot Jarred Vanderbilt into a backup‑center role after injuries sideline Luka Doncic and Ziaire Williams. Redick acknowledges Vanderbilt is better suited as a wing but notes the roster’s thin front‑court depth during a five‑games‑in‑seven‑nights stretch could force him into the five spot. Vanderbilt, a nine‑year veteran who hasn’t logged minutes in the Lakers’ first four games, averages 4.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists over 17 minutes per game. The move gives him a chance to earn a regular rotation spot.
After a Los Angeles Lakers‑Portland Trail Blazers game that featured three flopping technicals in just 90 seconds, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and Warriors coach Steve Kerr slam the NBA’s new anti‑flopping enforcement. Finch argues the league is penalizing defensive dives while ignoring offensive baiting, and Kerr adds that officials should stop “buying into” any theatrics, calling for a “No Bullsh*t Association.” Both coaches highlight inconsistent calls – from defensive flops on Ja Morant, Toumani Camara and Ziaire Williams to illegal screens on the Warriors – and warn the crackdown could disrupt play unless offensive flopping is addressed. The debate intensifies as fines and appeals loom.
Lakers gives details on missing players on second night of back to back.
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The Lakers (3-1) host the Clippers (1-2) at the Intuit Dome on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, with tip‑off at 10:30 PM ET. The game streams live on Fubo (free trial) and airs locally on The CW (KTLA) and ClipperVision. Los Angeles enters after a 136‑129 loss to Portland, despite Luka Doncic’s 41 points, while the Clippers rebound from a 108‑101 defeat to OKC, led by Darius Garland’s 16 points and 11 assists. Both teams aim to swing the early‑season series, making this a must‑watch West Coast showdown.
The Lakers sign young center Lawson Lovering to a two-way deal, adding depth behind Walker Kessler. Lovering, a former Utah standout, averaged 7.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 30 G League games with the Memphis Hustle and earned a brief 10‑day stint with the Grizzlies. His size, rebounding and rim‑protection could address the Lakers' frontcourt needs, while his passing offers a new offensive angle. However, his sub‑40% free‑throw shooting and the jump from G League to NBA make his roster spot uncertain. He must prove he can consistently rebound, protect the paint and keep the offense fluid.
Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom, a two‑time champion who played 961 games and helped Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol reach three NBA Finals, becomes the first NBA player to join OnlyFans. At 46, Odom announced via TMZ and PEOPLE that he and girlfriend Rachel Bradley will launch the subscription service, promising “a little bit of everything” and behind‑the‑scenes content. The move follows his high‑profile post‑NBA life, including his marriage to Khloe Kardashian, and marks a fresh way for the former champion to connect with fans.
Lakers shore up their front court with final two-way contract.
The Los Angeles Lakers sign 7-foot center Lawson Lovering to a two‑way contract, waiving forward AK Okereke to clear a roster spot. Lovering, a 23‑year‑old undrafted Utah product, was released by Memphis after a training‑camp deal and spent last season with the G League’s Memphis Hustle, posting 7.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 30 games. He also appeared in two NBA games with the Grizzlies on a 10‑day contract. Okereke, a 6‑7 wing who went undrafted in July, never debuted for the Lakers before being cut.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Rui Hachimura will sit out Wednesday’s rematch with the Lakers due to left‑quad soreness, coach Ty Lue says. Hachimura, who logged 29 minutes against Oklahoma City, has struggled this season, shooting just 26.3% and averaging 10.3 points, six rebounds and one assist. The Clippers plan to start sophomore Kobe Sanders, who has averaged 6.3 points and 3.3 assists in 19.3 minutes, while bench players Keaton Wagler (13.0 points, 4.3 rebounds) and Gradey Dick could see expanded roles. The Lakers, who beat L.A. 124‑117 last meeting, also miss Luka Dončić, setting up a compelling 7:30 p.m. PT showdown.
Dodgers owner Mark Walter quashes any talk of selling the franchise after recent exits from the Los Angeles Lakers and Chelsea FC. Citing Dodger Nation, Walter reiterates his long‑term commitment to Los Angeles as the team rebuilds following a NLCS loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Analysts say the Dodgers could fetch $8‑$10 billion if ever put on the market, far above the $2.15 billion Guggenheim paid in 2012. Walter’s Lakers stake sold for a $12.5 billion valuation, netting about $2.5 billion, while his Chelsea holdings were off‑loaded to Clearlake Capital. The focus now shifts to roster moves, including trade chatter around Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.
A pair of game-worn and rare Air Jordan shoes from Kobe Bryant's "sneaker free agency season" during his illustrious career are being auctioned.
The Los Angeles Lakers sign 23‑year‑old center Lawson Lovering to a two‑way contract as they scramble for front‑court depth behind starter Walker Kessler. Lovering, a 7‑footer who went undrafted in 2025, posted 7.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in two NBA games with Memphis and averaged 8.9 points, 7.8 rebounds in 13 G League outings. With limited options from Kevon Looney, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Jarred Vanderbilt, the Lakers rank last in the league in total rebounds and worry about overusing Kessler’s 31.5 minutes per game. Lovering could see minutes as early as Friday’s matchup against Golden State.
The Los Angeles Lakers sign 23‑year‑old center Lawson Lovering to a two‑way contract and waive rookie wing AK Okereke, reshaping their roster depth. Lovering, a 7‑footer who posted 7.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game in 30 G League outings with the Memphis Hustle and saw two brief NBA minutes with the Grizzlies, gets a chance to prove himself in L.A. Okereke, a 6‑foot‑7 wing from Vanderbilt who never debuted after a summer two‑way deal, is released. The move adds size and shot‑blocking potential for the Lakers heading into the 2026‑27 season.
The latest update reveals why Luka Doncic will miss the Los Angeles Lakers’ matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
The former Memphis Grizzlies center inked a two-way deal with the Los Angeles Lakers after AK Okereke's release.
The Los Angeles Lakers add depth at center by signing former Memphis Grizzlies big man Lawson Lovering to a two‑way contract, waiving AK Okereke to free up the roster spot. Lovering, a 7‑foot rookie who appeared in two NBA games last season—including an 11‑point, 11‑rebound effort against the Utah Jazz—averaged 7.0 points and 7.5 rebounds with Memphis, and posted 7.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 30 G League games for the Hustle. The move addresses the Lakers' need for a backup center after Kevon Looney’s underwhelming start, though Lovering may still be a developmental project.
The Lakers, playing the Clippers on back-to-back night, lose MVP candidate Luka Doncic to back tightness and respond by signing 23‑year‑old Lawson Lovering to a two‑way deal while waiving rookie AK Okereke. The move addresses a glaring backup‑center shortage exposed in a 136‑129 loss to Portland, where the team struggled with rebounding and defense. Lovering, who posted 7.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 60% shooting in two games for Memphis last season, joins a roster that under coach JJ Redick heavily utilizes two‑way contracts. The swap aims to stabilize the Lakers’ front‑court depth ahead of the Clippers clash.
The Portland Trail Blazers edged the Los Angeles Lakers 118-116 in a wild season‑opener, but the win was clouded by a flurry of late‑game flopping technicals. In the final five minutes, Blazers forward Toumani Camara, Ja Morant and Lakers rookie Ziaire Williams each received technical fouls for alleged flops, prompting coach Micah Nori to note the NBA's new point‑of‑emphasis on the issue. Despite the controversy, Portland tallied six double‑digit scorers—Morant (23), Deni Avdija (23), Jrue Holiday (22) and Damian Lillard (21)—while Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves combined for 67 points for the Lakers. The Blazers improve to 4‑0 heading into a Thursday matchup with Memphis.
The Lakers fell to a 136‑point loss against the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 27, posting a 132.0 defensive rating — the fourth‑worst of the 2026‑27 season. Center Walker Kessler takes ownership, saying he didn’t set the defensive tone and struggled with pick‑and‑roll rotations. Coach JJ Redick echoes the concerns, noting poor discipline and broken schemes. Despite scoring nearly 130 points, the Lakers’ defense couldn’t contain the league‑best offense, and they head into a back‑to‑back matchup with the Clippers, whose 20th‑ranked attack offers a chance to bounce back. Follow reporter Jackson on Twitter @jackfrank_jjf.
The Los Angeles Lakers will miss Luka Dončić in their back‑to‑back game against the Clippers on October 28 due to back tightness, marking his first missed game of the season. Ziaire Williams also sits out with left‑foot soreness, while Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr remain unavailable. The injuries come amid a grueling five‑games‑in‑seven‑nights stretch, prompting the team to err on the side of caution. Coaches stress there is no long‑term concern for Dončić, and Carr continues rehab assignments, with Thiero still shut down for the opening week.
The Los Angeles Lakers sit without Luka Doncic for Wednesday’s back-to-back clash against the Clippers after he develops back tightness. Alongside Doncic, Cameron Carr, Adou Thiero and Ziaire Williams (dealing with left‑foot soreness) are also sidelined. Doncic, who is averaging a league‑leading 36 points, 6.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists while shooting 48.4% this season, misses the Lakers’ fifth game in eight days. Coach may insert Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Sexton, while Austin Reaves is set for increased minutes, but replacing Doncic’s offensive firepower will be a tall order.
Dodgers owner Mark Walter quashes rumors he might sell the franchise, stressing his commitment to keep the club and chase championships for the next decade. Speaking with the California Post after the Dodgers’ NLCS sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers, Walter clarified that his recent sale of the Los Angeles Lakers has no bearing on the Dodgers, where he holds about 27% after the 2012 $2.15 billion purchase. Despite a federal probe into his other businesses and recent divestments from the Lakers, Chelsea and possibly the Sparks, he says the team stays under the same ownership and aims for continued success.
The Los Angeles Lakers visit the LA Clippers at Intuit Dome on Wednesday, October 28, at 10:30 PM ET.
While he has divested himself from a big chunk of his sports portfolio, Mark Walter has no plans to sell his stake in the Los Angeles Dodgers.