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.
Davis, Russell, Hachimura Lead Short-Handed Lakers Past Trail Blazers, 107-98
It took a minute for the Lakers to get going, but once they did, Sunday’s game at home against the Portland TrailBlazers looked a lot more like fans expected it would, even with LeBron James (foot) joining Austin Reaves and the rest of the limpy Lakers in street clothes.
In games like this, it’s hard to pull lessons that apply for the long term. There are too many players missing, too many weird combinations. All three of LA’s two-way players were in the game long before garbage time, just to provide one example.
What you want, though, are some of the secondary guys to step up when called upon. The Lakers got the output you’d expect from Anthony Davis (30 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks), but without two of their top three scorers needed more. Enter D’Angelo Russell (28 points, 14 assists) and Rui Hachimura (23 points, 9-13 shooting). The win doesn’t solve LA’s problems by any stretch, but it does get them into this weird moment in the schedule (thanks to the NBA Cup) where the Lakers will only play two games in 10 days or so. That gives them time to heal—the hope is that LeBron and Reaves won’t have to miss much more time, and Jaxson Hayes could inch closer to a return as well—and just as importantly, time to practice.
This is a thin team. It is a flawed team. It is not a team that can afford to get too far from its best principles, applied in the most efficient way. That requires repetition, and it’s probably not a coincidence that as the Lakers have gotten further away from training camp and regular practice time with enough healthy bodies to make practice meaningful, the attention to detail that was so strong early has diminished.
The Lakers can’t fix the results of frustrating games, whether the last second loss to Orlando last month, or Friday’s frustration fest in Atlanta. They’re back in that big clump of teams simultaneously working to stay out of the play-in... and make sure they don’t miss the play-in entirely. There are 12 teams that look to be in play for 10 spots. It’s going to be brutal going forward, but at 13-11 things could be worse, especially given how many lopsided losses they’ve suffered.
But the Lakers aren’t where they need to be, even if you’re not putting them on the short list of contenders. (And you shouldn’t be.) The next 10 days are critical.
—BK
Overheard In This Episode...
“Rui Hachimura had 23 points, 9 of 13 from the field, 3 of 5 from behind the arc, five rebounds, four steals, and a block. This was a game where Rui was quite active, and I think effective defensively.”
“You can’t complain about the supporting cast not stepping up past a certain point if you’re not involving them up to a certain point.”
“The line between trying to get into the top six and trying to make sure you don’t fall out of the top 10 is going to be razor thin.”
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks on from the bench against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth period at Chase Center. | David Gonzales/David Gonzales-Imagn Images
For all its advancements, from athlete autonomy down to the way the game itself gets played, the NBA hasn’t managed to solve one of its most nagging longevity problems: that all dynasties are destined to fall apart.
Maybe it’s their inherent weight. That a handful of stars stuck together force an unstable gravity not meant to last. Maybe it’s the strain that every relationship faces — but sped up in the NBA uniquely accelerated time signature — as time goes by and people, their circumstance, change. It could be egos, or the financial practicalities of keeping an expensive roster together; it might be because of duelling timelines and the reality that no matter how good, no team at this level can put off development of future rosters forever.
Whatever it was for dynasties of the past, now dusted, it’s a combination of everything for these current Warriors.
Whether you viewed it as a culture loss or reset, Klay Thompson’s departure to the Mavericks was the first chip in this Golden State dynasty’s foundation. Certainly, Thompson’s absence meant more room for next-gen talent of Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski to flourish on the floor. It also forced a twosome in leadership between Steph Curry and Draymond Green, versus the triangular model the former Splash Brother lent, though Curry’s shouldered more of the directional responsibilities this season and the strain is beginning to show.
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.
Home and Away
Analysis Jonathan Kuminga makes his case with a career-best night of 33 points. (Defector)
Biz NBA Trade Deadline eligibility: These 85 players can be traded as of December 15. (ESPN)
Milestones Chris Paul surpasses Jason Kidd for 2nd in career NBA assists. (NBA.com)
Analysis Anthony Davis, Rui Hachimura, and D’Angelo Russell received mixed reviews in player grades following the Lakers’ clash with the Blazers, reflecting varied individual performances. (Silver Screen and Roll)
Replay The Lakers snapped their losing streak with a decisive victory over the Trail Blazers. Anthony Davis and Rui Hachimura led the team, contributing significantly to the final score. (Silver Screen and Roll)
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Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Joel Embiid Returns Sunday - All The Fantasy Basketball Impact
Dec 8, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) smiles during the second half of a basketball game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski/Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Joel Embiid’s Return and Fantasy Implications
As the NBA season unfolds, Joel Embiid’s return to the court has been a focal point for fantasy basketball enthusiasts. Embiid, despite being on a minutes restriction, delivered an impressive performance with 31 points and 12 rebounds. However, his recurring knee issues remain a concern for fantasy managers. The potential for swelling and soreness could lead to more missed games, making him a risky asset. While his numbers are undeniably strong, the uncertainty surrounding his health suggests a cautious approach for those considering him in trades or drafts.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Chicago Bulls: Key Performances
The Philadelphia 76ers’ clash with the Chicago Bulls highlighted several noteworthy performances. Tyrese Maxey stepped up significantly, posting 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists. His ability to thrive alongside Embiid is crucial for the 76ers’ success and offers a promising outlook for fantasy managers. On the Bulls’ side, Zach LaVine’s resurgence with 30 points and six triples was a standout, especially after a dip in usage in previous games. However, Nikola Vučević's recent struggles, with only 13 points in consecutive games, raise questions about his role and effectiveness moving forward.
The game also shed light on the fluctuating roles within the Bulls’ lineup. Ayo Dosunmu, who recently had a breakout game, saw his production dip with the return of key players. This pattern of inconsistency is a reminder of the volatility in fantasy basketball, where player value can shift rapidly based on team dynamics and injuries.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Fantasy Basketball Podcast:
- Analysis of Tyrese Maxey’s performance and future potential
- Zach LaVine’s resurgence and its impact on the Bulls
- The role of Ayo Dosunmu in the Bulls’ lineup
- Injury updates and their implications for fantasy rosters
- Strategies for managing player rotations and streaming options
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Lakers podcasts.
Lakers Beat Warriors on Last Second Layup from Austin Reaves, Davis Leaves Early with Ankle Injury The Lakers lost Anthony Davis seven minutes into their Christmas Day tilt in San Francisco against the Warriors. Bah humbug, right? Not so fast. The Lakers circled the wagons, and got big performances up and down the roster, using an Austin Reaves bucket with a second left to beat Golden State, 115-113.
Turnovers Kill the Lakers in a 117-114 Loss to Detroit Pistons The Lakers offense has been stuck in the mud for the last few weeks. Monday at the Crypt against Detroit, the Lakers shot 54% from the floor, including 47% from 3-point range. They hit 20 of their 25 free throws, a perfectly solid 80%. The Lakers got a triple-double (28/11/11) from LeBron James. Max Christie chipped in with 17. So why did they ultimately lose 117-114 to the Pistons?
Why the Suddenly Hot Lakers Have a Chance to Rise in the Western Conference An 82-game season can have a ton of ebbs and flows, and often they feel extreme. Certainly that’s been the case for the Lakers, who have followed one of the most inept stretches of team defense with another that has been, quite literally, the league’s best over their last five games. Even more confusing, an offense that was once among the best in the league has totally cratered.
