Andy Kamenetzky here, the host of the daily Locked On Lakers podcast, with your daily Locked On Lakers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Lakers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
LeBron, Reaves Fuel 123-103 Win over Raptors, but Anthony Davis Leaves Game with Eye Injury
There was a lot to look forward to Sunday as the slumping Toronto Raptors visited the Crypt.
For a half, though, the Lakers looked as if they were playing in mud. No pop, no energy, no resistance as the Raptors hammered them on the glass. The Lakers stuck close because Toronto isn’t very good, but it was hardly inspiring. And for a few minutes in the third, it seemed like the trend would continue. But thankfully, over the course of the quarter the Lakers found their footing, made some shots and cranked up the energy, building out a more significant lead that would rise into double digits throughout much of the fourth. As it was Friday, when JJ Redick swapped D’Angelo Russell and Cam Reddish in the starting lineup, the Lakers got a boost from the reconfigured bench. Russell (15 points) led the way and the group provided a little scoring punch (40 points total).
So the Lakers get the win... but it’s not what people are talking about.
Instead, it’s yet another facial injury for Anthony Davis, who was popped in the eye by Jakob Poeltl while executing a spectacular block. He was down the court for a while, and didn’t return. Davis has had a run recently of injuries like this one, and we’ll see if this forces him to miss any games (players need to be able to see what they’re doing).
To his credit, with Davis out, LeBron James went HAM, piling up big numbers including 16 assists, en route to a second straight triple double. His determination clearly went up a notch once Davis had to leave the floor, and it never really relented.
So a good win, no question. But one that will raise the anxiety of fans until more information is known.
Three Questions...
1. Has Redick unlocked both Reaves and Russell in one move?
2. Is LeBron officially past any early season “slump?”
3. At some point, does Davis need some goggles? Seriously...
37 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists. The first NBA player to reach these numbers in a game, and Nikola Jokic did it on a Sunday night in Denver, snowy pockets of flurries settling over the city. I wish I’d been collecting these stat lines all along, or had thought to make a note on the calendar when they happened. I’d like to see if there’s a pattern, though I’ve got a hunch that the dates would come to mean less than what the volume of them proves: in Jokic’s hands, the unprecedented becomes routine.
It starts with his skill, we know this. But let’s zero in on how he carries himself around the floor, how he moves. Jokic lopes, jogs, shuffles, occasionally bops, tends to move laterally more than he does in a direct line. It all serves to create an illusion that he’s slow and behind the pace. It’s why so many have a difficult time categorizing what it is he’s doing — he doesn’t work the way a basketball player does, tends to be the refrain. It’s because he looks, most of the time, relaxed
He can also appear pressed, like there’s someplace else he’d rather be. This is not the kind of approach we like to see from our stars. If they don’t look dialled in, if it doesn’t look strenuous at least some of the time, we tend to distrust their effort and skill. But Jokic’s arduousness is some of my favourite in the league, because it presents at our expense. And indeed, it must be exhausting to prove nearly every night that you can manipulate the game at every level.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Recap The Lakers secured a solid win against the Raptors with strong performances from LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and D’Angelo Russell. This victory marks their fifth consecutive home win. (Silver Screen and Roll) [Nov 10, 2024]
Analysis Cam Reddish is making adjustments to his game to fit his role with the Lakers. Learn how he’s adapting to his new team. (Daily News) [Nov 10, 2024]
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Basketball Managers
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) holds his leg after a hard following a play against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Paycom Center.|Photo by Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Chet Holmgren’s Injury: What It Means for the Thunder and Fantasy Managers
Sunday’s NBA action took a concerning turn for the Oklahoma City Thunder as Chet Holmgren, their promising young centre, suffered a hip injury just five minutes into the game against the Golden State Warriors. This incident has left both the team and fantasy managers in a state of uncertainty, as Holmgren’s presence on the court has been pivotal.
The Impact of Holmgren’s Injury
Holmgren’s injury occurred during an attempt to contest a dunk, resulting in a hard fall that left him limping off the court. The Thunder have since reported it as a hip injury, but the full extent and severity remain unclear. Given Holmgren’s importance to the Thunder’s lineup, any absence could significantly impact their performance, especially considering their current lack of depth at the centre position.
Potential Replacements and Adjustments
In the wake of Holmgren’s injury, the Thunder may need to rely on a smaller lineup, as they did against the Warriors. This could mean increased minutes for players like Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace, who might see more court time and opportunities to contribute. In deeper leagues, Ousmane Dieng could also be considered for a temporary boost, though none are likely to replicate Holmgren’s production. Fantasy managers might consider these short-term pickups, but it’s crucial to temper expectations, as the Thunder’s rotation could remain fluid.
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LeBron, Reaves Fuel 123-103 Win over Raptors, but Anthony Davis Leaves Game with Eye Injury The Lakers were coming off an encouraging Friday night win over the Philadelphia 76ers, responding with a lot of energy to JJ Redick’s first big move as a coach, swapping D’Angelo Russell and Cam Reddish in the starting lineup. So there was a lot to look forward to Sunday as the slumping Toronto Raptors visited the Crypt. For a half, though, the Lakers looked as if they were playing in mud.
Anthony Davis is Probable Vs. Philly, Is Dealing with Plantar Fasciitis. Can D’Angelo Russell Bounce Back? The Lakers are home from a disappointing road trip, and will have a golden opportunity to get a better taste in their mouths tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers, who have only won a single game this season, and will be playing without Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. They need to win this game.
Shorthanded Lakers (No Davis, No Hachimura) Lose in Memphis, Finish Road Trip 1-4 The Lakers arrived in Memphis struggling to find some kind of rhythm, having lost three of the first four games on this five game road trip. Then they lost Rui Hachimura (illness) and Anthony Davis (foot), for one night, at least. Then they lost again, this time to the Grizzlies.
