The Lakers needed a spark. After a string of tough losses and growing chatter about chemistry-or the lack of it-this team was teetering on the edge of irrelevance in a stacked Western Conference.
But on a night when they desperately needed to show signs of life, they got exactly that. The Lakers snapped their losing skid with a convincing 110-93 win over the Toronto Raptors, and while LeBron James did his usual work, it was Drew Timme who stole the spotlight-in more ways than one.
Let’s start with the basketball.
The Lakers found themselves in a familiar spot early: trailing. Down seven in the second quarter, head coach JJ Redick looked down his bench and called on Timme, who had just come off a strong 21-point performance against the Blazers.
The move paid off almost immediately. Timme brought energy, connected on a key three-pointer, and worked well alongside James, helping to stabilize the offense and shift the momentum.
“He was great,” Redick said postgame. “He certainly earned a spot coming off last night, where he played phenomenal… but it’s still like a little jarring to see Vando, Drew, [Ayton], LeBron-that’s a big lineup.
And they did a good job of playing out of the post during that stretch. We also were able to get some stops and run.”
That stretch Redick’s referring to? It was the turning point.
The Lakers leaned into their size and physicality, using that jumbo lineup to dominate the glass and control the tempo. Timme’s presence gave them a different look-one that complemented LeBron’s playmaking and allowed the offense to flow more freely.
The stops on defense led to transition opportunities, and suddenly, the game flipped.
But Timme’s impact didn’t stop when the final buzzer sounded.
In the postgame press conference, the rookie forward showed off his personality-and his sense of humor. Sitting at the podium in a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase “Sexual Tyrannosaurus,” Timme drew a double-take from the media. Naturally, someone had to ask about it.
“I’m not big into fashion,” Timme said with a grin. “This is a Predator movie reference… This is my fashion.”
The room erupted. It was one of those moments that reminded everyone this is still a game, played by real people who aren’t afraid to have a little fun. And for a team that’s been under the microscope lately-criticized for looking more like a collection of individuals than a cohesive unit-that kind of levity matters.
The win was more than just a number in the standings. It was a statement.
The Lakers showed they can adapt, that their depth can step up, and that there’s still room for growth in this roster. With Luka Doncic and LeBron James leading the charge, the big question has been about the supporting cast.
Can they deliver when it counts? Can they find the right combinations around their stars?
Timme’s recent play, along with Redick’s willingness to experiment with lineups, suggests the answers might be trending in the right direction.
Of course, one win doesn’t fix everything. There are still questions about fit-especially when it comes to DeAndre Ayton’s role next to James-and consistency remains a concern.
But for now, the Lakers have something to build on. They’ve found a little rhythm, a little chemistry, and maybe even a little swagger.
And if Drew Timme keeps delivering on the court-and at the mic-this team might just have found a new fan favorite to rally around.