Category: Los Angeles Lakers

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The series is even, but even Tuesday night’s loss provided some reason to be encouraged.

 

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic rebounds a ball against Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first quarter of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on April 22, 2025.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic rebounds a ball against Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first quarter of Game 2 of their first-round playoff series at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on April 22, 2025. / Kiyoshi Mio /

The Minnesota Timberwolves will leave La La Land having stolen home court, but their Western Conference first-round series is even at 1-1 following Tuesday night’s 94-85 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

 

Tuesday’s loss showed vulnerability, revealed some reasons for the Wolves to be concerned and also some reasons to be encouraged as they progress through the rest of the best-of-seven series. Here are five things that stood out in Game 2:

 

Fouls, fouls, fouls

Lakers coach J.J. Redick said his team didn’t seem ready for the physicality the Wolves brought to Game 1. The Lakers were sure ready for it in Game 2, and it led to a chippy back and forth between the two sides that resulted in 46 total fouls.

 

Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo all found themselves in foul trouble for the Wolves; DiVincenzo, in particular, had to sit for a long stretch in the first half after picking up his third, which even led to some minutes for Terrence Shannon Jr. DiVincenzo ended up only playing 16 minutes. No Wolves players fouled out Tuesday.

 

But for the conspiracy theorists among the Wolves faithful, Minnesota did commit a lot of obvious fouls. And of the 46 fouls called, the Wolves were whistled for 22 — the Lakers 24. And Minnesota shot more free throws (25 to 20 for L.A.).

 

My goodness Luka Doncic

A thought that comes to mind every time Doncic takes the court: The Dallas Mavericks traded this guy?

 

There is not a reason in the world that will ever make sense as to why. Doncic was truly phenomenal Tuesday night, exploding for 16 points in the first quarter as his Lakers took a 19-point lead, and ultimately finished with a game-high 31 points, 12 boards and nine assists. He had a game-best plus-minus of plus-12 and made everyone around him better.

 

Most encouraging for the Lakers: his nine assists after Doncic recorded just one in the series opener.

 

Wolves need more from Rudy Gobert

Minnesota has a massive size advantage in this series, and there’s no player larger than Gobert. But through two games, he hasn’t made much of an impact. Gobert had just six points, six rebounds and was a minus-2 in 29 minutes on Tuesday.

 

There were questions whether Gobert would be played off the court in this series against a Lakers team that plays small lineups and makes you switch, and while not every matchup is advantageous for the big man, there are opportunities for him to make an impact, particularly on the glass. In the two games, Gobert has just 12 total rebounds and only two on the offensive glass. It’s far from the dominant presence he was on both ends of the boards at the end of the regular season.

 

The Wolves were outrebounded 41-34 Tuesday night. That should not happen in a series in which they have a significant size advantage. Minnesota needs Gobert to get back to setting the tone on the boards and being dominant on the glass. Even a few offensive boards and putbacks would have a significant impact if the Wolves aren’t shooting well like Tuesday.

 

Bench no-shows

The story of Game 1 was Minnesota’s bench, which provided 43 points, including a heater from Reid.

 

In Game 2, the Wolves got 19 points off their bench on just 6-for-19 shooting. That is simply not going to cut it.

 

Reid shot just 3 for 8 and scored nine points; DiVincenzo had four points on 1-for-4 shooting and was a game-worst minus-17; and Nickeil Alexander-Walker shot just 1 for 6 for four points, though he was a team-best plus-8. Shannon made his lone attempt from the field and was a plus-7 in seven minutes. It wasn’t a particularly impressive showing.

 

On the bright side, the Lakers got just 15 points from their bench, and it’s not likely Reid, DiVincenzo and Alexander-Walker shoot a combined 27% from the field again. Depth is a strength for the Wolves, they just didn’t show it on Tuesday.

 

Encouraging loss

It’s a bit oxymoronic, but the Timberwolves should leave Crypto.com Arena feeling good about their chances in this series. They couldn’t have started the game worse, they couldn’t have shot worse, half the team was in foul trouble and they had some clear defensive lapses. Despite all of that, it was a single-digit game late and they had a chance to win.

 

Despite the lapses on defense, they still held the Lakers to 94 points. Despite digging themselves a 22-point hole, getting outrebounded and shooting just 38% from the field, it was a nine-point game midway through the fourth quarter.

 

The national pundits may be singing the praises of the Lakers Wednesday morning, but the true takeaway from Tuesday night’s Game 2 is the Wolves played a lousy game and still had a chance in L.A. Expect better in Game 3 at Target Center.

 

 

The Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks are set for a highly anticipated regular-season contest on Wednesday night.

 

All eyes will be on Luka Doncic as he returns to the American Airlines Center for the first time since the Mavericks shipped him to Los Angeles in a shocking blockbuster trade earlier this year.

 

Though the focus is on Doncic for Wednesday’s primetime matchup, Lakers superstar LeBron James is also set to record yet another historic accomplishment.

 

Wednesday’s contest marks James’ 1,561st regular-season game. When he takes the court, he’ll pass fellow Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for solo second on the NBA’s all-time list.

 

Robert Parish hold the all-time record for regular-season game appearances with 1,611.

 

“LeBron James is set to play in his 1,561st regular-season game when the Lakers visit the Mavericks tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN,” the NBA wrote in an announcement on X. “James will pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for sole possession of second place on the all-time games played list, behind No. 1 Robert Parish (1,611).”

 

James, 40, is playing in his 22nd NBA season since entering the league as the Cleveland Cavaliers’ No. 1 overall pick in 2003. The veteran forward holds countless NBA records thanks to his elite play and longevity, including the league’s all-time scoring record.

 

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, forward LeBron James and guard Austin Reaves.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, forward LeBron James and guard Austin Reaves. Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Heading into Wednesday night’s matchup against the Mavericks, James and the Lakers hold the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference with a 48-31 regular-season record. The Lakers are one game ahead of the No. 4 seed Clippers with three games remaining on their regular-season schedule.

 

Wednesday’s Lakers-Mavericks game will tipoff at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

 

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts with Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena.

 

A jaw-dropping play from LeBron James during the Lakers-Rockets matchup is making waves across social media.

 

 

LeBron James continues to defy age and expectations. During Monday night’s game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets, the 39-year-old superstar delivered yet another highlight-worthy moment that quickly went viral.

 

Despite a slow offensive start for both teams, James managed to steal the spotlight with an incredible shot that left fans and analysts buzzing.

 

LeBron James keeps a firm grip on Savannah James holding her back as she gets excited at a hotel

A tough shot with a big reaction

Early in the game, James showcased his trademark ability to convert difficult shots. With a defender draped all over him, he launched a tough fadeaway jumper that somehow found the bottom of the net. The play instantly gained traction online, with fans marveling at his continued dominance in his 21st NBA season.

 

Through the first 14 minutes of action, James had recorded five points, two rebounds, and a block while shooting 2-for-5 from the field and 1-for-3 from beyond the arc. Though it wasn’t his most dominant performance statistically, the viral play proved yet again why he remains one of the most electrifying players in the league.

 

Lakers and Rockets locked in a defensive battle

Both teams struggled to find their rhythm in the first quarter. The Lakers shot just 24% from the field, while the Rockets fared slightly better at 32%. The low-scoring affair was a stark contrast to their recent offensive explosions-Los Angeles had scored 134 points against Memphis in their previous outing, while Houston had put up an impressive 148 against Phoenix.

 

At the time of the viral shot, the Rockets held a narrow 19-16 lead over the Lakers after the first quarter. Defensive intensity was high, with players on both sides contesting shots and forcing tough possessions.

 

 

 

 

Darvin Ham of the Los Angeles Lakers directs his team against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during game five of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs

Darvin Ham might be working for the Milwaukee Bucks now, but there’s no doubt that his feelings toward the Lakers aren’t yet all warm and fuzzy. Even after landing back on the bench alongside Doc Rivers in Milwaukee, Ham’s recent actions and words suggest he still hasn’t forgotten how things ended in Los Angeles.

 

Doc Rivers Lets It Slip

Ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks’ 118-89 win over the Lakers, Doc Rivers said the quiet part out loud. Asked by reporters if Ham viewed the contest as a revenge game, Rivers responded, “(Darvin) wants to kick the Lakers’ ass.” While Rivers was joking, it’s not hard to imagine Ham making that statement.

 

It’s not every day an assistant coach’s motivation becomes a storyline, but when it involves a coach returning to face the team that fired him? Fans take notice. Especially when one of those teams is the Los Angeles Lakers.

 

Ham’s time in Los Angeles was, by most measures, solid. He guided the Lakers to a 90-74 regular season record and even took them to the Western Conference Finals in 2022. He also won the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023. Yet despite the results and his ability to manage a high-pressure roster headlined by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, Ham was shown the door after just two seasons.

 

At the time, Ham said he was “disappointed” in the Lakers’ decision.

 

The quick trigger left many puzzled. In a city like LA, expectations are always high, but many felt Ham deserved more time. Though Cem Yolbulan of LA Sports Hub believes that the Lakers are thriving without Ham on the sidelines.

 

“The Lakers are currently 11th in the league in defensive rating,” he writes. “A number higher than both Ham’s seasons with the team. Plus, they are doing this without Anthony Davis or an elite defensive anchor for a significant portion of the season.”

 

Circling the Date

For Ham, it’s not just about strategy—it’s about pride. He’s not just trying to help the Bucks win; he’s trying to send a message to the team that let him go.

 

“I’m not talking about feelings. I’m talking actual facts,” Ham said. “They go from not making it to the playoffs to the final four in the NBA, the conference finals. And then you win the in-season tournament, navigate through all the injuries and win both of your play-in games to get to the playoffs.”

 

A Competitive Edge That Lingers

Competitive fire is part of what made Ham an NBA coach in the first place. But there’s a difference between staying competitive and taking things personally. In Ham’s case, the line seems blurred.

 

Coaches often say it’s “just business,” but behind closed doors, these firings sting. Especially, after taking a team deep into the playoffs, only to have that success seemingly overlooked.

 

Ham has brought renewed energy to Milwaukee—a sign that perhaps he’s channeling any lingering bitterness into his new role.

 

The NBA thrives on rivalries and personal storylines, and Darvin Ham’s situation is another great example. Every time the Bucks and Lakers face off, eyes will watch Ham just as much as the players.

 

While he may not publicly admit he’s still bitter, his actions—and Rivers’ comments—speak volumes. Whether it’s about proving himself or the Lakers wrong, Darvin Ham isn’t done yet.

 

 

 

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Luka Doncic (77) react after a play during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.

Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-

The Lakers will be healthy again for their upcoming game against the Chicago Bulls.

 

The Los Angeles Lakers have been decimated by injuries over the past few weeks, but they got some good news on Friday regarding the availability of their top players. According to the latest injury report (via Jovan Buha) the Lakers are getting healthier and could be whole for their next home game against the Bulls on Saturday.

 

Luka Doncic, Dorian Finney-Smith, Austin Reaves, and Jarred Vanderbilt are listed as probable.

 

Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, and Gabe Vincent are questionable.

 

The only player listed as out right now is Maxi Kleber, who has yet to make his Lakers debut.

 

Players have been in and out of the lineup for head coach JJ Redick and he’s been doing his best to make the most of it. Fortunately, he’ll get some reinforcements this weekend that should set the team back on the right track.

 

Against the Bucks on Thursday, the Lakers were a shell of themselves. They were down six rotation players, including four starters and their three leading scorers in the blowout loss.

 

Fortunately, the Lakers are finally getting healthy and it’s not a second too soon. At fourth in the standings (43-26), the Lakers are currently in a heated battle in the West standings and they need all the help they can get.

 

The most important piece to this is LeBron James. He left the Celtics game early on March 8 and hasn’t been seen since. The groin injury has taken two weeks to recover but after returning to LA for treatment, LeBron is set to make his return tomorrow. He’s averaging 25.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game on 51.7% shooting this season.

 

Luka Doncic has been mostly healthy for the Lakers but he did take the last game off to help with his recovery from a sprained right ankle. As the team’s leading scorer and playmaker, his return will be huge for the Lakers and now he can continue to build chemistry with LeBron James.

 

Reaves was listed as out with an ankle injury but the real reason he missed the game was likely due to the team’s ridiculous schedule, which involved six games in eight nights.

 

Rui Hachimura has been out for the past 12 games with left patellar tendinopathy. He was playing some of the best basketball of his career before going down, with averages of 13.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game on 50.6% shooting.

 

Now that the most brutal part of their schedule is over, the Lakers are ready to lock in for the final stretch of the season but the road ahead is anything but easy.

 

As the Thunder and Rockets lead the West, LA will need to be at full strength to keep up. If LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Luka Doncic are healthy, however, the Lakers have a chance to beat any team in their way.

 

 

 

 

It’s been over a month since the Los Angeles Lakers shocked the NBA world by trading 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic.

The blockbuster move marked the end of a five-year partnership between Davis and LeBron James, a duo that led the Lakers to an NBA championship in 2020 but was ultimately hindered by injuries.

 

Although Davis is no longer in LA, his bond with James appears to remain strong, as evidenced by their interactions when the Lakers faced the Mavericks on Feb. 25.

 

As Davis continues to recover from an injury, he sat down for an interview with Mavs TV. The new Mavericks star revealed a moment he and James shared during their time together.

 

Los Angeles Lakers forwards LeBron James (23) and Anthony Davis (3)

Los Angeles Lakers forwards LeBron James (23) and Anthony Davis  Mark J.

Davis revealed that James offered him the No. 23 jersey—the same number Davis wore during his time with the New Orleans Pelicans—when he first arrived in LA. However, Davis chose instead to forge a new path with No. 3. It was a big decision for the star forward, as the number he chose could now end up being retired one day by the organization.

 

“When I got to LA, Bron wanted to give me the 23, but I was like, ‘I don’t want to take your number,’” Davis said.

 

Davis added, “Then that second year, he went to 6 and he asked me if I wanted 23. And I was like, ‘I actually want to stay with 3. I want to go back to where it all started.’”

 

Davis made his debut for the Mavericks in a 116-105 win over the Houston Rockets, and he was on track for a historic performance before suffering an adductor strain early in the third quarter. A month has passed, and the Mavericks are still without their star big man, while Doncic continues to thrive in LA.

 

With no official timeline for Davis’ return, Dallas faces an uphill battle in the Western Conference playoff race. The Mavericks currently sit in 10th place, and with Kyrie Irving officially out for the season due to a torn ACL and starting center Daniel Gafford set to miss some extended time, Davis returning sooner rather than later may be their only hope of making a playoff push.

 

 

 

 

The Los Angeles Lakers will be without LeBron James for one to two weeks after the NBA’s all-time leading scorer suffered a groin injury in Saturday’s tough loss to the Boston Celtics.

 

Not only did the defending champs snap L.A.’s eight-game winning streak with a 111-101 victory at TD Garden, but the fact that James will now be sidelined for an extended period is even more bad news for the Lakers.

 

Unfortunately for L.A. fans, there’s more. Luka Doncic, who is expected to step up in a major way amid LeBron’s absence, is now also dealing with what appears to be a new issue.

 

The Lakers have already released their injury report for Monday’s contest against the Brooklyn Nets, and the bad news is that Doncic is also in danger of missing that one. This is after the 26-year-old guard was listed as questionable to play against the Nets due to a sore back.

 

 

While James’ injury is a tough break for the Lakers, his absence will be an opportunity for Doncic to show what he can do for his new team without LeBron on the floor. Unfortunately, he is now dealing with a back problem that could bother him even if he ends up playing through the injury on Monday.

 

It is also worth noting that Doncic has also been nursing calf, hip and knee issues over the past week or so, and it is clear that he is not a hundred percent healthy. Either way, the Lakers will be relying on him heavily in the next week or two with James sidelined. That is, of course, under the assumption that Doncic is able to suit up.

 

Jaxson Hayes is also questionable to play for the Lakers on Monday, while Rui Hachimura, Dorian Finney-Smith and Maxi Kleber are all listed as out.

 

 

 

Lakers could acquire $74 million former 22.0 PPG Spurs scorer to support LeBron James image

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) scores a basket during the second half against Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) and guard Anfernee Simons (1) at Moda Center.

 

The Los Angeles Lakers captured consecutive victory No. 6 on Sunday night, defeating the Los Angeles Clippers by a score of 108-102 to improve their record to 38-21 and jump all the way up to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

 

Though the team looks to be rolling at the perfect time, it’s hard not to wonder what their general manager Rob Pelinka could have planned for this coming offseason regardless of if the Lakers raise yet another championship trophy come season’s end.

 

In order to improve the team’s depth around Luka Dončić and LeBron James while increasing their offensive intensity, it’s plausible that Pelinka could inquire about completing a trade for a young, athletic forward from the San Antonio Spurs, Keldon Johnson.

 

At just 25 years old, the 6-foot-5 small forward has proven that he can become a star-level scorer in the Association if given the right amount of time to shine, once posting averages of 22.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists for the Spurs in 2022-23 in his age-23 season.

 

Unfortunately, Johnson has seen a massive decrease in his role with the team since his break-out campaign, playing just 23.5 minutes this season compared to 32.7 minutes just two years ago.

 

The former No. 29 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft’s production has dropped as a result of his lessened playing time, as he’s now contributing just 12.1 points and 4.5 rebounds with a 53.7% effective field goal percentage in 56 appearances.

 

Pelinka may realize that Johnson’s potential could truly be unlocked as a prospective member of the Lakers, as both generational passing talents Dončić and James could set him up for fantastic looks in 2025-26.

 

The Lakers could also buy relatively low for Johnson, possibly offering to give away only the contracts of Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent along with a first-round pick to receive the Spurs’ versatile wing.

 

What may make the hypothetical acquisition a deal-breaker in Pelinka’s mind is Johnson’s descending contract, as his salary will decrease from $19 million this season to $17.5 million for the next two years afterwards until he hits unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2027.

 

Los Angeles has come to develop an affinity for solid wing talents, and Johnson’s possible pairing with Dončić and James could be exactly what the team needs, aside from center depth, to compete for titles in the present and post-James era.

 

 

Seattle and Las Vegas have long been rumored as new NBA expansion cities.

 

But with men’s professional basketball struggling to connect with a frustrated American audience, one of the most forward-thinking owners in pro sports is envisioning an even bigger picture for the league.

 

 

LeBron James could be retired by the time the NBA makes a huge expansion move

LeBron James could be retired by the time the NBA makes a huge expansion moveCredit:

“I think what you’re going to see is more and more professional sports, like the NBA, come to Europe,” Chelsea and Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly said at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit in London.

 

While Boehly is primarily focused on getting Chelsea back into the Champions League and ushering the Dodgers to another World Series trophy, he’s also a part-owner of a Los Angeles Lakers team that features LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

 

Boehly’s expansive sports portfolio provides him with a unique global view of the athletic world.

 

 

He’s a 51-year-old from Connecticut with an estimated net worth of $8.5 billion.

 

 

The 30-team league has long wanted to place a team back in Seattle — the SuperSonics moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 — and eyes Las Vegas as an ideal new destination city.

 

But there have also been recent hints that the NBA hopes to follow the NFL’s lead and expand its reach overseas.

 

Boehly has a big vision of where the NBA could go nextCredit: Financial Times Business of Football Summit

He’s also keeping a close eye on Luka Doncic’s new team

 

Boehly, far right, has a unique view of global sports and ties to several team

Rising star Victor Wembanyama was showcased with regular-season games in Paris earlier this year, before a stunning injury placed the San Antonio Spurs sophomore on the shelf.

 

The NBA could play future regular-season games in Manchester.

 

But Boehly is thinking much bigger than just a couple midseason contests in an overseas country.

 

“I think the NBA is going to be a really interesting thing to watch over the next 20 years,” said Boehly, while discussing the difference dealing with European football and American sports agents.

 

 

“Because I think the NBA is going to become much more global, right? And then I think you’re going to see kind of the evolution of that agent market, as the NBA really becomes global.”

 

Nashville, Vancouver, Kansas City, Mexico City and Montreal have also received interest as potential NBA expansion cities.

 

But Boehly made it clear that the biggest move for the NBA could be across the pond and beyond.

 

“I think it’s going to be a fascinating thing to observe,” he said.

 

The Chelsea co-owner also keeps an eye on college football, which continues to become more pro-like, and has effectively become a minor-league talent pipeline for the NFL.

 

 

“The other thing we have now in America, which is just a whole new wild wild west, is what’s going on in college football and college sports generally,” Boehly said.

 

“The players are now professional athletes, right? So what’s happened?

 

“Michigan, I believe, they compensated their quarterback with 10 million dollars to play at Michigan. And so this NIL money is changing the landscape of sports. And what it’s really doing is getting more and more sports infrastructure to be built around America.

 

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly wants radical Premier League overhaul based on $600 billion NFL-Netflix model

“So we’re seeing this massive development of sports infrastructure and you’re seeing kind of teams that are elite teams forming at younger and younger ages.

 

 

“Because in America, now high school is really the new college, and college is professional, and people are going to stick around in college longer.”

 

The NFL will bounce from Brazil and Ireland to Australia and the United Kingdom as it attempts to remain ahead of the global sports race in the streaming age.

 

The Premier League, thus far, has avoided the temptation of playing regular-season matches in the United States, only giving the USA summer exhibitions.