A Blog devoted to Lakers News, Commentary, and Analysis
When Luka Dončić initially went down with his hamstring strain, the Lakers ruled him out indefinitely, putting no clear timetable on his return. While some people speculated that a Grade 2 hamstring strain meant he could return after a month or so, none of them were privy to his MRI results. In the end, Luka […]
Throughout the majority of the Lakers’ red hot March, Rui Hachimura was coming off the bench as a key reserve. Two months later, with the season on the line, he was having one of the best games of his career while trying to save the Lakers from elimination. No one did more for his stock […]
Throughout his NBA career, Luka Dončić has made a habit of competing for Slovenia during the summer in basically whatever competition they’re in. However, that’s set to change this offseason, though not for any basketball reasons. Following Monday’s Game 4 loss to the Thunder, Luka put out a statement on his Instagram stating he would […]
In theory, one of the biggest questions that could be surrounding the Lakers this offseason would be the impending free agency of their All-Star caliber guard. In many situations, a player of Austin Reaves’ caliber and age entering free agency would be a cause for concern as to whether he’d leave this summer. But nothing […]
Considering how Mark Walter transformed the Dodgers when he took over, a similar evolution has been expected for the Lakers now that he is the majority owner. This assumption was confirmed when Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka said the franchise would spare no expense building out the front office. While Walter has had […]
This offseason, LeBron James has a big decision to make. Set for unrestricted free agency, this is the first time during LeBron’s tenure that he is entering a summer without a contract with the Lakers since joining LA in 2018. All options are on the board, from returning to the Lakers to leaving for another […]
With the season on the brink of extinction, the Thunder put the Lakers out of their misery in Game 4 and advanced to the conference finals. LA put up another valiant effort Monday, even nursing a one-point lead with 40 seconds remaining, but it wasn’t enough. OKC completed the sweep and bounced the purple and […]
While we didn’t get to see it on the biggest stage in the postseason, one of the biggest positives to come out of the season for the Lakers was the Austin Reaves-Luka Dončić partnership. On the court, the two blossomed into one of the league’s best backcourts with Austin ascending to All-Star level and Luka […]
LOS ANGELES – Entering Monday’s contest, it was clear that the Thunder were a better team than the Lakers. Oklahoma City had won every playoff game against LA in blowout fashion and swept the regular-season series 4-0. The only question left was whether the Lakers would put up a fight in Game 4. In their most […]
In a season defined by their resiliency, the Lakers ended the year in a fitting manner. With their backs firmly against the wall, the team responded with its stiffest punch. LA knocked OKC back on its heels in the third quarter for the first time this series, then went toe-to-toe with them in the fourth. […]
With their season on the line, the Lakers played with the necessary desperation to try to extend it one more game. Even after it looked like the third quarter was headed down a familiar path, LA righted the ship and actually won that quarter. The result was a fourth quarter worthy of a playoff game […]
On the brink of elimination, the Lakers went down swinging. LA overcame its second-half woes and took OKC all the way to the final minute before losing late, 115-110, as the Thunder completed the sweep. In the most hotly-contested game of the series, the two teams battled throughout the fourth quarter. The Lakers had the […]
The one thing you can’t question about Austin Reaves is his desire to play. He played in all 82 games during the 2023-24 NBA season, and last year, he was still competing against the Wolves in the playoffs despite a big toe sprain. This season, after suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain, it was expected that […]
The Lakers’ pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline this year was rather mundane. Without any real firepower to offer in a deal, they were quite far away from a competitive offer. LA was limited to just one first and a host of expiring salaries they could offer. Even if one of those included […]
In the first round, it was the Lakers who were up 3-0 over the Rockets, looking to complete a sweep. Now, in the second round, they are on the other side, looking to avoid going out in four games against the Thunder. So far, the odds don’t look so good. Not only have the Lakers […]
Now on the brink of elimination, the Los Angeles Lakers look to avoid being swept in Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. Start time and TV schedule Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder When: 7:30 p.m. PT, May 7 Where: Crypto.com Arena Watch: Prime Video Unless the Lakers have a miracle in them […]
Sunday’s NBA draft lottery provided a bit of a surprise and some unfortunate good luck for the Clippers, who saw the Thunder not jump into the top four while also having the Pacers slip, resulting in the other LA team picking fifth. The Wizards secured the top pick, a familiar place for an Anthony Davis […]
The Sparks were soundly defeated in their season opener on Sunday, losing to the Aces, 105-78. Las Vegas dominated three of the four quarters. LA won the second quarter 27-13 and lost the other three quarters 92-51. LA turned the ball over 19 times, leading to 26 points for Vegas. The Aces also scored 30 […]
In what’s become a far too familiar script, the Lakers fell to the Thunder in Saturday’s Game 3 and now trail 3-0. A deficit that’s never been overcome in NBA history. LA’s season is now on the brink of ending on Monday as they attempt to extend the series back to Oklahoma City in Game […]
This WNBA offseason was a whirlwind, featuring a lengthy negotiation over a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) followed by a massive free agency pool and a draft. The dust has settled and the Sparks have created a roster that’s built to win right now. They’ve brought back the best parts of last year’s team, including […]
The Sparks made a bit of a splash prior to their season-opener on Sunday by signing Kate Martin to a developmental contract. Martin is entering her third year in the NBA, having spent a season with the Aces and Valkyries. She was waived late in the preseason by Golden State. “Kate is a gifted shooter, […]
The Lakers headed into Game 3 in search of proof. Proof that they could find a strategy that worked. Proof that they could find a lineup that clicked. Proof that they could beat the Oklahoma City Thunder. By the end of Saturday night, the only proof they had was that they could not do any […]
LOS ANGELES — The location of the Thunder-Lakers series switched from OKC to LA, but nothing else changed. It was still a contest where the Lakers had to play to perfection to win and the Thunder just had to be good enough. Like the other matchups, it went OKC’s way as they won 131-108 to […]
While it doesn’t make the losses feel any more frustrating in the moment, there is something comforting in the long run knowing that the team you’re losing to is just a better team. It was apparent before Saturday, but Game 3 made it abundantly clear that the Lakers are simply levels below the Thunder. LA […]
It was deja vu all over again for the Lakers on Saturday as they battled early, led at halftime and lost in a blowout to the Thunder in Game 3, 131-108. LA now trails the series 3-0. The purple and gold used red-hot shooting in the first half to hold a 59-57 lead at the […]