A Blog devoted to Lakers News, Commentary, and Analysis
In a rock fight of a Game 2, the Lakers did just enough to go ahead 2-0 in the series with a 101-94 win over the Rockets. Offense was a precious commodity throughout the contest, a change of pace from the opening game of the series. As the game went on, the defenses took over, […]
For years, LeBron James and Marcus Smart have shared the court. However, it’s often been on opposing sides. Smart, a longtime Celtic, faced off against James when he was a Cavalier for countless regular-season games and in the postseason during the 2010s. Cleveland got the better of Boston during those battles, winning the Eastern Conference […]
When Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić went down with their injuries, head coach JJ Redick said it was the team’s responsibility to keep winning long enough for them to come back. Saturday’s victory in Game 1 against the Rockets was the first step in doing just that. The good news is that one of those […]
In the extensive list of stories that could have come out about the Lakers during the postseason, Jaxson Hayes becoming Slovenian could not have possibly landed on anyone’s radar. And yet, on Monday, Hayes confirmed that he had secured his Slovenian passport, making good on a story that popped up earlier in the season. Now, […]
Following the first matchup of any playoff series, both teams, win or lose, return to the drawing board and strategize what they can take forward in future contests. For the Lakers, missing their star shot creators in Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves means the offense will be a journey every night. The regular season numbers […]
The days of LeBron and Bronny sharing the court together in only a ceremonial sense are long, long gone. While it was a great moment in his rookie season to have the father-and-son duo play together to start last season, Bronny was clearly out of his depth. It’s only at this point, late in his […]
The injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves mean the asks of the Lakers’ role players have increased, both in terms of responsibilities and expected production. For a player like Deandre Ayton, who has been under a microscope for most of the season, it puts even more pressure on him, which can lead to a […]
The first round series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets continues on Tuesday. L.A. looks to take further control of the matchup and protect homecourt by going for 2-0. Start time and TV schedule Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets When: 7:30 p.m. PT, Apr. 21 Where: Crypto.com Arena Watch: NBC, Peacock Just when it […]
Going into his 19th playoff run, it’s remarkable that LeBron James is still capable of breaking records. And yet, on Saturday, the league’s greatest scorer and all-time leader in games played collected eight assists in the first quarter in the Lakers’ Game 1 win over the Rockets, a career high for any quarter of a […]
In last season’s Game 1 against the Wolves, the Lakers admitted they weren’t prepared for what was awaiting them. The result was them falling behind the eight ball from the jump and being forced to unsuccessfully play catch-up. Given that the team awaiting them in this year’s first round was a very physical Rockets team, […]
Despite being ruled eligible for the award through the Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge, Luka Dončić was not named a finalist on Sunday for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player Award. The three finalists for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama. While we’ll get to SGA and Jokić, the most legitimate complaint is Wemby’s inclusion over Luka. […]
With two of the Lakers’ big three out, LeBron James finds himself once again asked to be anything and everything for the purple and gold. That would normally be a ton of pressure to put on one player in the postseason, but LeBron is not your typical athlete. In Game 1 against the Rockets, he […]
There was little faith amongst NBA experts that the Lakers could do much of anything against the Rockets. With no Luka Dončić or Austin Reaves to start the postseason, LA had a ton of offensive production unavailable. However, their absence creates opportunities for others, and Luke Kennard got the start in Game 1 and brought […]
LOS ANGELES – Saturday’s Game 1 between the Lakers and Rockets saw the Crypto.com Arena crowd will the purple and gold to victory behind the unlikeliest of leading men. Midway through the fourth with LA leading by 12, the Lakers ran an action to get their lead guard his fifth three of the night and […]
Across the regular season, the crowd at Lakers games does not rank among the best in the league. The lion’s share of the blame falls on ownership for pricing out the common, diehard fans and replacing them with fans who too often view the game as a status symbol rather than a chance to root […]
The deck was stacked against the Lakers heading into the playoffs, but what awaited them was a tower of cards ready to topple over in the Rockets. Kevin Durant being a surprise scratch pregame tilted the tower to the brink of falling and the purple and gold made it a mission to finish the job […]
A career night from Luke Kennard and a double-double from LeBron James powered the Lakers to a Game 1 win over the Rockets, 107-98. After finding out pregame that Kevin Durant would be out due to a right knee contusion, the Lakers took full advantage of the opportunity. LA grabbed a lead in the first […]
After two brutal injury blows to end the season, the Lakers are on the other end of the pendulum this time. Prior to Saturday’s Game 1 against the Rockets, Houston head coach Ime Udoka said Kevin Durant would be out for the contest. KD had been listed as questionable with a right knee contusion, an […]
The Lakers have had a history with many teams, including this year’s matchup in the Rockets. One might not think the Lakers and Rockets have any history together, but there is one surprising link between the two franchises. Pat Riley. Drafted by the San Diego Rockets in the 1967 NBA draft as the seventh pick […]
Welcome to the NBA playoffs. It is that time of year again, when teams chase the one main thing that they have built for all year. The NBA Championship! Some teams make it all the way to the end. Be it a dark horse or those expected to be there. At times, the team expected […]
An 82-game regular season packed with turbulence ended with 53 wins and the fourth seed in a brutal Western Conference race. Following a blowout of the tanking Utah Jazz, the Lakers playoff reward is home court advantage against the physically imposing Houston Rockets. Very few pundits give them a chance to compete in the series, […]
Start time and TV schedule Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets When: 5:30 p.m. PT, Apr. 18 Where: Crypto.com Arena Watch: ABC After months of grinding through the rigorous challenge that is the NBA regular season, the playoffs have arrived and the state of the Lakers has been more uncertain than ever. With Luka Dončić and Austin […]
The Lakers have a tall task in front of them, trying to beat the Rockets with their biggest stars, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, out indefinitely. With Luka dealing with a hamstring strain and Reaves out with a Grade 2 oblique strain, the team doesn’t expect either to be available for the first round. However, […]
With the playoffs set to begin, LeBron James once again finds himself in a familiar role, trying to lead his team to postseason success. One aspect that is new and unfamiliar, however, is his contract status with his team whenever the year concludes. LeBron is entering the final year of his deal with the Lakers […]
With the dust settled on the regular season, the Lakers now turn their attention to the playoffs and their first- round matchup with the Houston Rockets. Despite having a better record and home-court advantage over their Western Conference counterpart, Los Angeles is projected to be a large underdog in the series. That’s the harsh reality of […]