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LAL • Small Forward, Power Forward, Point Guard, Center, and Shooting Guard • #23
about 8 hours ago
James took a more measured approach on the offensive end on Monday, something he’s more frequently done in his 23rd NBA season. The four-time champion shot efficiently in his limited attempts, which was enough on this night to finish as the Lakers’ second-leading scorer. James tied a team-high in assists and also racked up a couple of steals to sweeten his final stat line. The Lakers will see the Rockets again on Wednesday, giving James a chance to land even more production in the rematch.
LAL • Shooting Guard • #15
about 8 hours ago
Uncharacteristically, Reaves’ defensive performance topped what he did on the offensive end on Monday. The fifth-year guard led all players in steals and added a blocked shot, tallying five stocks on the evening. On offense, he went without a made three-pointer for only the third time all season, which led to a poor shooting performance overall. Reaves had scored at least 30 points in the three previous games, so it shouldn’t be surprising if he were to bounce back with a strong offensive showing in Wednesday’s rematch against Houston.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #77
about 8 hours ago
Dončić’s run of dominant offensive performances continued on Monday, when he scored 30 points for the sixth consecutive game. The do-it-all guard made an impact from beyond the arc, but uncharacteristically didn’t have his usual rebounding and passing production to go with it. Still, his scoring output was welcome in a game in which both teams struggled to consistently put points on the board. Dončić has an opportunity to extend his streak of 30-point games to seven on Wednesday in a rematch against the Rockets.
LAL • Power Forward and Center • #14
about 12 hours ago
Monday’s game against the Rockets will be the fourth that Kleber has missed with a lumbar strain, and he’s going to miss a few games beyond that. According to Lakers head coach JJ Redick, the veteran forward has been shut down for five days and did not travel with the team for the start of its six-game road trip. There’s hope that Kleber will be able to rejoin the Lakers during the trip, but his availability does not affect fantasy basketball.
Source: Khobi Price
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
2 days ago
In his last three appearances before Saturday, Smart totaled 24 points on 8-of-23 shooting from the field. Given the recent production and his season-long value, few expected Smart to have the night that he did. The veteran guard shot 5-of-12 from beyond the arc, a season-high for made three-pointers, while recording his third 20-point game of the season. Expecting Smart to do this consistently would be a bit much, but he’s capable of coming through for fantasy managers every so often.
LAL • Small Forward, Power Forward, Point Guard, Center, and Shooting Guard • #23
2 days ago
Offensively, James took a back seat to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves on Saturday, as they combined to score 62 points. However, James provided solid value in his 40 minutes, with the five turnovers being the lone issue. The Lakers’ four-game Week 21 slate includes a midweek back-to-back, so LeBron may sit one out. If so, Rui Hachimura (six points, four rebounds) would have added value in deep leagues.
LAL • Shooting Guard • #15
2 days ago
While Luka Dončić’s fadeaway with five-tenths of a second remaining in overtime was the deciding basket, he would not have been able to hit that shot if not for Reaves. The Lakers guard successfully pulled off the intentionally missed free throw, grabbing his own rebound and scoring with 1.9 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime. For the second time this season, Reaves has scored at least 30 points in three consecutive games.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #77
2 days ago
Dončić’s fadeaway jumper from the left baseline with five-tenths of a second remaining in overtime gave the Lakers a critical win, as they clinched the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Nuggets. The triple-double was his second in three games and eighth of the season. The percentages and turnovers, of which Dončić had six, weren’t great, but the overall stat line will be good enough for many fantasy managers. The Lakers play four games in Week 21, starting with the Rockets on Monday.
LAL • Center • #11
3 days ago
Hayes is set to return after missing the last two games with a back injury. He’ll slide back into the backup center role, taking minutes from Jarred Vanderbilt and Drew Timme behind Deandre Ayton.
LAL • Center • #11
4 days ago
Hayes has missed the Lakers’ last two games with a back injury, resulting in more minutes for starting center Deandre Ayton. Jarred Vanderbilt and Drew Timme spent some time on the floor as the backup center, but neither played enough to affect fantasy basketball.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
4 days ago
Smart is back after sitting out Thursday’s win over the Bulls with a hip injury. His return will likely push Rui Hachimura to the bench, as LeBron James returned from a foot injury the last time out.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Center • #2
4 days ago
Ayton was one of several Lakers starters to produce big numbers against Chicago on Thursday. In the win, he finished third on the team in scoring and was one of two players to log double-digit rebounds before finishing with a second straight double-double. Ayton has had his least productive season as a pro to this point, but perhaps he is finding his way down the stretch of the season. He’ll have a chance to log a third consecutive double-double on Saturday against the Nuggets.
LAL • Shooting Guard • #15
4 days ago
Reaves was part of a Lakers backcourt that combined for 81 points, 13 three-pointers, and 16 assists on Thursday. Alongside Luka Dončić, he impressed in his 39 minutes of action, securing a second straight 30-point game. The fifth-year guard has enjoyed a career-best season so far and should remain a reliable option and one of the best guards for fantasy managers as the fantasy playoffs inch closer.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #77
4 days ago
Dončić was spectacular on Thursday against the Bulls. In the win, he dominated from beyond the arc before logging his first 50-point game as a Los Angeles Laker. He was one of two Lakers to reach double-figures in rebounds, and he finished one assist shy of a triple-double. The Lakers have now won four straight games and are the current No. 3 seed in the Western Conference standings. Fantasy managers should expect Dončić to have a similar workload the rest of the way as L.A. tries to avoid the Play-In Tournament.
Source: Melissa Rohlin
LAL • Small Forward, Power Forward, Point Guard, Center, and Shooting Guard • #23
4 days ago
LeBron is back in the Lakers’ starting lineup after a three-game absence, but Marcus Smart is out with a hip contusion. As a result, Hachimura will remain in the starting five, ensuring that his short-term fantasy value does not take too much of a hit.
Source: NBA Lineups
LAL • Small Forward, Power Forward, Point Guard, Center, and Shooting Guard • #23
4 days ago
LeBron will make his return after missing three straight games with multiple lower body injuries. His return will push Rui Hachimura back to the bench as they look to keep their three-game winning streak alive.
Source: Dan Woike
LAL • Power Forward and Center • #14
5 days ago
Kleber will miss a second straight game with a back injury, joining Jaxson Hayes on the sidelines. Jarred Vanderbilt will once again serve as Deandre Ayton’s primary backup, with Drew Timme possibly getting some run as well.
Source: Dan Woike
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
5 days ago
Smart was initially listed as doubtful for this game and has now officially been downgraded to out. Jake LaRavia started when Smart was sidelined earlier this season and could return to that role for this game, which would provide him with upside as a streamer.
Source: Khobi Price
LAL • Center • #11
5 days ago
Initially probable after sitting out Tuesday’s win over the Timberwolves, Hayes will miss a second consecutive game. Jarred Vanderbilt picked up some backup center minutes the last time out, and that will also be the case against the Bulls.
Source: Dan Woike
LAL • Small Forward, Power Forward, Point Guard, Center, and Shooting Guard • #23
5 days ago
James has missed the Lakers’ last three games, most recently being listed as questionable before it was announced that he would not play against the Timberwolves on Tuesday. If LeBron can play against the Bulls, Rui Hachimuwa will head back to the bench.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Power Forward and Center • #14
5 days ago
Like Jaxson Hayes, Kleber was a late scratch for Tuesday’s win over the Timberwolves. While his return would give the Lakers additional frontcourt depth, Kleber has not done enough to make an impact in fantasy basketball.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #36
5 days ago
Smart, who took a hard fall during Tuesday’s win over the Timberwolves, is on track to sit out Thursday’s game with a hip contusion. Jake LaRavia, who Smart replaced in the starting lineup earlier this season, could be the replacement. If so, he would be worth streaming in deep leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Center • #11
5 days ago
Hayes was a late scratch for Tuesday’s win over the Timberwolves, with his absence freeing up additional minutes for Jarred Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt would get all of his minutes at the power forward position if Hayes is available on Thursday. Neither player should be rostered in fantasy leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Center • #2
6 days ago
Ayton did most of his damage before halftime of Tuesday’s victory, putting up 12 points and 11 rebounds. While fantasy managers will have wanted to see more production from the 7-footer in the second half, this was still one of Ayton’s best performances since the All-Star break. His status as a starter makes Ayton a must-roster player, but it would be nice if he were to be a more consistent force in the middle for the Lakers.
LAL • Shooting Guard • #15
6 days ago
Despite dealing with a right wrist injury that appeared to give him trouble throughout the night, Reaves recorded his second 30-point stat line since making his return from a strained calf back in early November. With LeBron James (foot) unavailable, Reaves moves up in the offensive pecking order, raising his fantasy ceiling even higher than it already was. The Lakers play two more games in Week 20, starting with the Bulls on Thursday.
LAL • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #77
6 days ago
The Lakers have been without LeBron James for the last three games, and it hasn’t mattered much thanks to Dončić. After putting up 44 and 35 points in wins over the Pacers and Knicks, he recorded his seventh triple-double of the season on Tuesday. The victory moved the Lakers into a tie with the Timberwolves in the Western Conference standings, with the Lakers in fourth for tiebreaker reasons. Dončić has two more games to play in Week 20, starting with the Bulls on Thursday.
LAL • Center • #11
6 days ago
Having ruled out Maxi Kleber (back) less than an hour before Tuesday’s scheduled tip time, the Lakers announced shortly after that Hayes is also out. Jarred Vanderbilt takes on added importance within the frontcourt rotation, and there may also be a few minutes available to Drew Timme.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Power Forward and Center • #14
6 days ago
While the Lakers will have starting center Deandre Ayton for Tuesday’s game, they’re going to be shorthanded behind him. Kleber won’t be available, with the Lakers adding him to the injury report less than an hour before the scheduled tip time. Jarred Vanderbilt may play some backup center minutes, and Drew Timme could enter the rotation as well.
Source: NBA Injury Report
LAL • Small Forward, Power Forward, Point Guard, Center, and Shooting Guard • #23
6 days ago
This will be a third straight absence for James, who is nursing multiple injuries. The Lakers have won the last two games with LeBron sidelined and will look to make it three straight in this one, with Rui Hachimura likely to start again.
Source: Mike Trudell
LAL • Small Forward, Power Forward, Point Guard, Center, and Shooting Guard • #23
8 days ago
James, who did not participate in Monday’s low-impact practice, is officially questionable for Tuesday’s game. If he’s unable to play, Rui Hachimura would get a third consecutive start.
Source: NBA Injury Report