Raise your hand if you thought this was going to be an easy win for the Lakers?
Anyone? No one? Bueller?
The moment Anthony Davis was ruled out pregame, the safest bet was that this would be a frustrating game that would be far too close. And sure enough, from the jump, the Lakers let the Nets hang around all game long and nearly lost in the funniest way possible: a D’Angelo Russell game-winner.
Fortunately, it was a shot from playoff D’Lo and not heat check D’Lo and the Lakers survived.
So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.
Rui Hachimura
32 minutes, 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 4-10 FG, 1-4 3PT, 1-1 FT, +3
Hardly a banner night for Rui, who struggled with his shot. He started strong with a big finish at the rim, but that didn’t continue.
This is a good time to plug our own Alex Regla’s piece on Rui as he debated whether moving Rui to the bench in favor of Dorian Finney-Smith was the right move.
Grade: C
LeBron James
35 minutes, 29 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 12-17 FG, 4-6 3PT, 1-2 FT, -11
On top of it being a solid statistical night, LeBron’s baskets were timely, especially in the first quarter.
As a side note, one of my favorite oddities is that, despite averaging (rounded down) 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for his career, he’s never had a game with exactly 27 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists in his career.
He was dangerously close on Friday. If not for Reaves hitting his last 3-pointer and then throwing a lob to LeBron a minute later, LeBron finishes with 27-7-7. Now, at the same time, the Lakers lose the game without those things, but it’s just a fun little statistical quirk from LeBron’s career.
Grade: A
Jaxson Hayes
33 minutes, 6 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 3-7 FG, +9
An admirable enough job from Hayes in the starting lineup. He had a two-possession stretch where he was the highest of flyers and generally was active on the night. Nine rebounds for him is equivalent to 35 boards for AD.
Grade: B+
Max Christie
33 minutes, 7 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2-13 FG, 2-8 3PT, 1-2 FT, +0
I thought Max was quite active on the night, especially defensively. That activity did not lead to production, but I’m fine with good process and I thought he had that overall.
Grade: C
Austin Reaves
37 minutes, 38 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 13-23 FG, 4-8 3PT, 8-8 FT, +1
What a fourth quarter from Austin, man. Fifteen points on 6-11 shooting, and that’s with him missing his last four shots of the game.
The Lakers rolled the dice on Austin being able to take a leap when they traded D’Angelo Russell. It’s still a work in progress and the Lakers and Austin are figuring things out, but nights like this show just how talented Austin is.
Grade: A+
Gabe Vincent
29 minutes, 10 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 4-8 FG, 1-5 3PT, 1-2 FT, +0
I had some qualms about some shots Vincent took — namely his unnecessary stepback 3-pointer after a shot fake in the second half — and he missed a big shot late, but it’s still a productive night for him.
It’s pretty clear he’s not going to be the Vincent he was for the Heat in his last season, but this is a solid performance.
Grade: B+
Dalton Knecht
18 minutes, 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 0-4 FG, 0-3 3PT, 2-3 FT, +6
Every time Dalton has a strong game or a strong stretch in a game, the hope is that’s the spark for him to finally find his form from early in the season again. Time and time again, though, that’s proven not to be the case.
Grade: C-
Trey Jemison
15 minutes, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, -6
Considering that, 48 hours ago, Jemison said he was sitting at his mom’s house, I think I can forgive him for maybe not being great on Friday. Head coach JJ Redick said that Jemison was bad defensively because he didn’t know the coverages and language the team uses. That’s to be expected.
You can see, though, why the team went for him. Redick spoke this summer about wanting a “big, bruising center” and that’s the mold of the player Jemison is.
Grade: C
Shake Milton
He only played for seven minutes, had one assist and didn’t attempt a shot. No grade.
JJ Redick
You know, when JJ said that the Lakers would run more two-big looks, I didn’t imagine that the first we’d see of those were Jaxson-Jemison minutes together.
Less of that, please.
Grade: B+
Friday’s DNPs: Bronny James, Cam Reddish
Friday’s inactives: Christian Koloko, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Armel Traore, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood, Anthony Davis
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.
