After a rough blowout loss just the night before, the Lakers bounced back in a big way - again. That’s now two straight wins coming on the second night of a back-to-back, and both were commanding victories over quality opponents.
It’s a strange trend, but one that’s starting to look like more than just a fluke. The Lakers don’t play another back-to-back until March, but based on this pattern, maybe they should petition the league for more.
Let’s break down the performances from Sunday night’s win, player by player. As always, grades are based on expectations - a “B” means a typical night for that player.
LeBron James
32 minutes, 24 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks, 3 fouls, 9-17 FG, 2-4 3PT, 4-4 FT, +18
LeBron continues to defy time, playing in all five games over a seven-day stretch. He was efficient, composed, and in control, doing what he does best - lifting the team with smart plays and timely buckets.
That said, someone might want to remind him it’s 2026, not 2016. The dunk attempts are ambitious, but maybe a bit much at this stage.
Still, a strong night from the King.
Grade: B+
Jake LaRavia
19 minutes, 2 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1-5 FG, 0-4 3PT, -6
LaRavia’s night never really got going. His shot wasn’t falling, and he struggled to make a significant impact on either end.
Over the two games in this back-to-back, he totaled just four points on 1-of-7 shooting.
Grade: D-
Deandre Ayton
33 minutes, 25 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 2 fouls, 10-10 FG, 5-6 FT, +20
Ayton was flawless - literally. A perfect 10-for-10 from the field, dominant on the glass, and efficient at the line.
He didn’t just play well; he played historically well. You can slice the stat line any way you want, and it still reads like a masterpiece.
This was Ayton at his absolute best.
Grade: A+
Marcus Smart
25 minutes, 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 5 turnovers, 3 fouls, 3-6 FG, 2-3 3PT, +12
Smart had some shaky moments with the ball - five turnovers is a lot - but he also delivered what might be the assist of the season. On a team with LeBron and Luka, that’s saying something.
He plays with grit and flair, and that was on full display.
Grade: B+
Luka Dončić
34 minutes, 25 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, 8-23 FG, 5-12 3PT, 4-5 FT, -3
It wasn’t Luka’s most efficient night - the shooting numbers tell that story. But he still found ways to contribute, especially with his playmaking.
What stood out more than anything, though, was his ability to keep his cool. He’s been riding a fine line with officials lately, and while he didn’t get tossed, it felt like we were one whistle away.
Grade: B-
Gabe Vincent
17 minutes, 5 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 foul, 2-5 FG, 1-3 3PT, +0
Vincent had a quiet night, but he did knock down a key bucket during the second-quarter run that helped the Lakers seize control. Beyond that, there wasn’t much to write home about, but he held his own in limited minutes.
Grade: C+
Jaxson Hayes
13 minutes, 3 points, 5 rebounds, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 1-1 FG, 1-2 FT, -2
Hayes made the most of his short stint, grabbing rebounds and staying efficient. It’s unclear if his minutes were limited by design or if Drew Timme’s emergence played a role, but he gave solid effort while he was out there.
Grade: B
Rui Hachimura
21 minutes, 10 points, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 4-10 FG, 2-6 3PT, +8
Hachimura looked more comfortable as the game progressed, and his jumper started to fall again - a promising sign. Even more encouraging?
His minutes restriction was eased a bit, which suggests he’s trending in the right direction physically.
Grade: B+
Jarred Vanderbilt
21 minutes, 2 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1 foul, 1-1 FG, +25
This is one of those games where the box score doesn’t fully capture Vanderbilt’s impact - though a +25 plus-minus certainly helps. He was everywhere defensively, flying around, disrupting plays, and doing the dirty work.
And that lone bucket? A slick in-and-out dribble in the open floor that reminded everyone he’s got some handles too.
Grade: A
Drew Timme
17 minutes, 3 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, +17
Timme earned his minutes with a strong showing the night before, and he backed it up with another solid shift. His presence in a jumbo lineup alongside Ayton, LeBron, Vando, and Smart was unconventional - but it worked.
That group played big, literally and figuratively.
Grade: B
Dalton Knecht, Bronny James, Nick Smith Jr., Kobe Bufkin
This group checked in for the final two minutes, with the game already decided. Not enough time to make an impact.
JJ Redick
Redick continues to show a creative touch with his rotations.
Leaning into size, he rolled out a massive lineup that featured Timme and Ayton together, with LeBron or Vanderbilt playing the two. It sounds wild on paper, but it worked beautifully.
Redick’s willingness to experiment - and his players’ ability to execute - paid off in a big way.
Grade: A-
DNP - Maxi Kleber
No action for Kleber in this one.
The Lakers may not play another back-to-back for a while, but if they can channel this kind of energy and execution on a regular schedule, they won’t need the quirks of the calendar to get back on track. This was a statement win - not just because of who they beat, but how they did it.