Player Grades: Lakers vs. Pelicans
The Lakers' season is at a critical juncture, where winning at all costs is the priority. After a pair of effortless victories over the Warriors and Kings, they had to grind out a win over the Pelicans on Tuesday.
Following three uninspiring quarters, the Lakers found their stride in the fourth, showcasing a level of defensive intensity that has been rare this season. Even if it was against the Pelicans, a team not known for their offensive prowess, this defensive effort should give the Lakers confidence moving forward.
As a result, the grades for this game are a mixed bag. How do you evaluate three poor quarters and one stellar quarter? It's a tricky question, and the grades reflect the team's inconsistent performance.
Let's dive into the analysis. As always, grades are based on each player's expectations. A 'B' grade represents average performance.
LeBron James
33 minutes, 21 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks, 5 turnovers, 2 fouls, 8-12 FG, 1-5 3PT, 4-8 FT, +3
LeBron had a decent first quarter, a fantastic start to the second, but then faded into the background for most of the game. His performance was a stark contrast to the rest of the team's efforts.
Grade: A-
Marcus Smart
30 minutes, 10 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks, 2 fouls, 3-9 FG, 2-6 3PT, 2-2 FT, +13
Smart had his most impactful game of the season. Despite a night where he only made 3 out of 9 shots, he was all over the court. He recorded seven stocks, seven assists, and a crucial 3-pointer late in the game. It was a peak Smart performance.
Grade: A+
Deandre Ayton
25 minutes, 13 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 4 fouls, 6-8 FG, 1-1 FT, -7
Ayton had a solid game, especially compared to his recent performances. While his center counterpart had a fantastic game, Ayton's contribution was a vast improvement.
Grade: B+
Austin Reaves
37 minutes, 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 5 turnovers, 3 fouls, 4-15 FG, 2-7 3PT, 5-5 FT, -1
Reaves' performance was a rollercoaster. For three quarters, he was invisible and inconsistent, a trend that has been concerning. However, in the fourth quarter, he knocked down crucial 3-pointers and made a significant defensive play on Zion Williamson.
Grade: C-
Luka Dončić
38 minutes, 27 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block, 7 turnovers, 2 fouls, 10-22 FG, 3-10 3PT, 4-5 FT, +1
Dončić was at the center of both the good and bad moments. He had seven turnovers and was inefficient with his shots, but he still hit some crucial shots late in the game, including the game-sealing three.
Grade: B+
Rui Hachimura
19 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 foul, 0-4 FG, 0-4 3PT, 2-2 FT, -6
Hachimura had a quiet game, never finding his rhythm. As a result, he didn't factor into the fourth quarter, where he didn't play at all.
Grade: F
Luke Kennard
21 minutes, 9 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 3-5 FG, 2-3 3PT, 1-1 FT, +16
Kennard stepped up in Hachimura's place. The Lakers haven't had that luxury this season, but Kennard has seamlessly filled the role, closing the game and knocking down crucial shots.
Grade: B+
Jaxson Hayes
23 minutes, 8 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, 1 foul, 3-4 FG, 2-2 FT, +16
Hayes had an unexpected standout performance. His defense was incredible, especially against Zion Williamson. The entire team stepped up defensively, helping the Lakers secure stop after stop.
Grade: A+
Jake LaRavia
15 minutes, 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, +10
LaRavia had another solid outing, albeit in limited minutes. With Kennard and Hachimura as scoring options, LaRavia's role is more about bonus points than necessity.
Grade: B-
JJ Redick
Redick played a crucial role in refocusing the team when things looked dire in the first three quarters. The officials were calling the shots, but LA regrouped, putting together one of their best defensive stretches of the season. They did it with a lineup that included both bench players and starters.
Grade: B+
DNPs: Kobe Bufkin, Bronny James, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht, Adou Thiero, Jarred Vanderbilt
Inactives: Drew Timme, Nick Smith Jr., Chris Mañon
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude (https://twitter.com/JacobRude) or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social (https://bsky.app/profile/jacobrude.bsky.social).
