Lakers Rally Late to Snap Sixers’ Streak Behind Red-Hot Reaves and Second-Half Surge
After a grueling eight-game road trip that took them through the teeth of winter on the East Coast, the Los Angeles Lakers returned home to some much-needed sunshine-and a red-hot Philadelphia 76ers team riding a five-game win streak. For much of Thursday night, it looked like Philly would keep that streak alive. But the Lakers had other plans.
This one was a tale of two halves. The Lakers came out flat, turning the ball over seven times in the first quarter alone and falling behind by as many as 11. Sloppy passes, poor spacing, and a lack of urgency had them trailing 59-51 at the break, with 13 first-half turnovers already in the books.
But something clicked late in the third quarter. The energy shifted, the ball movement sharpened, and the Lakers found their rhythm.
They trimmed the deficit to just two points by the end of the third, then exploded out of the gate in the fourth with a 15-4 run that flipped the game on its head. By the time the clock ticked under five minutes, L.A. had built a 110-94 lead.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Lakers game without a little drama. The Sixers stormed back to cut the lead to just two with under 30 seconds left, but the Lakers held on for a gritty 119-115 win.
Let’s break down the performances that defined the night:
Austin Reaves: A
Reaves didn’t just look healthy in his second game back from a calf strain-he looked explosive. Coming off the bench on a minutes restriction, he wasted no time making his presence felt, scoring 14 in the first half on 6-of-8 shooting. But it was his ability to keep the pressure on throughout that really stood out.
He finished with 35 points on a blistering 12-of-17 from the field, including 5-of-8 from deep and 6-of-7 at the line. Reaves was everywhere-attacking off the dribble, knocking down perimeter shots, and finishing through contact. He added five rebounds and two assists, and his ability to create offense when the Lakers desperately needed a spark was the difference-maker.
LeBron James: C
It was a tale of two LeBrons. Through three quarters, he couldn’t find the bottom of the net, shooting just 2-of-9 and entering the fourth with only seven points. But when the Lakers needed veteran leadership and shot-making, James delivered.
He poured in 10 points in the final period, finishing with 17 points, 10 assists, and four rebounds. Still, his eight turnovers were costly, and many came on risky transition passes that the Lakers were lucky didn’t swing the game the other way. The late-game surge helped, but the Lakers will need more consistency from their leader moving forward.
Deandre Ayton: C-
Ayton had his hands full with Joel Embiid, and it showed. Embiid torched the Lakers from mid-range, finishing with 35 points on 13-of-19 shooting. Ayton struggled to contain him defensively and didn’t make a huge impact elsewhere.
He was efficient offensively-10 points on 4-of-5 shooting-but only grabbed six boards in 20 minutes. With J.J. Redick opting to go with other options at the five, Ayton saw limited action, and it’s clear the coaching staff is still searching for the right center rotation.
Marcus Smart: B
Smart didn’t light up the box score, but he came through when it mattered. His back-to-back threes in the fourth quarter were part of the Lakers’ game-changing run, and he played his usual brand of gritty defense.
He finished with seven points, four rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 31 minutes. He also missed three of his four free throws, but his veteran presence and timely shot-making helped stabilize the Lakers during a chaotic second half.
Jake LaRavia: B
LaRavia gave the Lakers a real lift off the bench. He scored 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting and added two assists and three steals in 23 minutes. His ability to knock down open looks and make plays in the passing lanes helped fuel the Lakers’ comeback.
Luka Dončić: Incomplete
Dončić’s night was cut short after just 16 minutes due to left leg soreness. He scored 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting, pulled down four rebounds, and dished out two assists, but also committed five turnovers.
J.J. Redick said postgame that Dončić felt tightness in his hamstring, and the team opted to play it safe.
His status will be one to watch.
Rui Hachimura: A
Quietly, Hachimura continues to be one of the most reliable pieces in the Lakers’ rotation. He scored 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, grabbed seven rebounds, and logged 35 minutes. Whether he’s starting or coming off the bench, his ability to stretch the floor and rebound in traffic has been a steadying force.
Maxi Kleber: B
Kleber’s box score won’t blow you away-four points on 2-of-3 shooting-but his impact was felt in the hustle categories. He pulled down four offensive rebounds, handed out four assists, and notched three steals in 26 minutes. He brought physicality and energy, and his presence on the glass gave the Lakers second-chance opportunities they desperately needed.
Jarred Vanderbilt: B-
Vanderbilt played 23 minutes and did a little bit of everything-six points, six rebounds, two steals, a block, and an assist. His motor and defensive versatility continue to be valuable, even if his offensive game remains limited.
Dalton Knecht: Incomplete
Knecht saw just three minutes of action but made the most of it, knocking down his only shot and grabbing a rebound. With so many rotation players healthy, minutes are hard to come by, but he stayed ready.
Final Takeaway
This was far from a perfect game for the Lakers-they turned the ball over 22 times and nearly let a 16-point fourth-quarter lead slip away. But they dominated the glass (41-28), held the Sixers to just 6-of-21 from deep, and found their offensive rhythm when it mattered most.
Austin Reaves looked like a star. LeBron turned it on late. And the Lakers, back in the California sun, reminded us that when they’re clicking-even in spurts-they’re still a team no one wants to face.