Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

Luka Dončić: Grade II Hamstring Strain, Likely to Miss 1st Round of Playoffs

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 3 Apr 2026 23:55:00 +0000

The news is in, and it's not good.

Luka Dončić has been diagnosed with a Grade II hamstring strain, and while the Lakers are only saying he's out the rest of the regular season, the reality is significantly more grim. Luka likely will need 3-6 weeks to get back from this one, at least. According to Jeff Stotts, the great NBA injury expert, the average recovery time for this type of thing is about 35 days. So even if Luka hits that, the Lakers are well into May and somewhere in the second round of the playoffs.

And the idea of divebombing into the postseason against San Antonio or OKC-- assuming they win the opening round-- coming off that injury seems like a bad idea.

The Lakers now need to think with their heads, not their hearts. As does Luka.

So what's next? Can they win a first round matchup without him?

Lots to consider.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Should JJ Redick Have Pulled Luka Earlier vs. Thunder? Can Reaves and LeBron Carry the Lakers?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 3 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +0000

The big question from fans, beyond "How long will he be out?", was "Why was Luka Dončić even on the floor?"

Because Luka was clearly fighting some discomfort even in the first half, and the Lakers clearly were not coming back to win the game. JJ Redick said Luka was cleared by the med staff at halftime, and wanted to play. The plan was to give him half a quarter or so to make a dent in the score. And, if we're being frank, I think more to find some positive things to take into Tuesday's rematch and a potential second round matchup as well.

But we all know what ended up happening.

So now everyone waits, and wonders, and perhaps second-guesses.

Meanwhile, it's now on Austin Reaves and LeBron James to carry the group. Are they up for it?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Disaster: Luka Leaves With Hamstring Injury, Lakers Blown Out by Thunder 139-96

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 3 Apr 2026 05:30:00 +0000

You know it's a bad night when the final score of a 45-point loss isn't the worst part. Or even close to it.

The Lakers lost Luka Dončić to a hamstring injury early in the third quarter. He went straight to the locker room, clearly in pain, and the Lakers said he would undergo an MRI Friday before the game was even over. That's very, very quick and a worrisome sign.

The Lakers have about a week before the end of the regular season, and about two before the first round of the playoffs begins. Any type of hamstring injury is concerning, and one this close to the postseason is scary, scary, scary. And not for nothing, Luka needs to play one more game to qualify for postseason awards. There is a very good chance now it doesn't happen.

Needless to say, the Lakers and Lakers fans will be on edge until some clarity is found on Luka's injury. Oh, and Austin Reaves was clearly battling some sort of injury to his lower back/side.

As for the game itself, the Lakers got their butts kicked in every conceivable way. That's the long and short of it. 139-96.

But aside from all that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Luka injured as the Lakers are destroyed in Oklahoma City.

SEGMENT 2: What happens now?

SEGMENT 3: Can the Lakers stay in the top four?

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Who Guards Shai? Can LA's Centers and Bench Step Up? What to Watch Vs. OKC

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 2 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000

There's a ton to look forward to in Thursday's game against the Thunder in Oklahoma City.

Thursday morning, we asked a lot of the big questions that could impact the results... but for a game this significant there wasn't enough time to get to all of them!

The Lakers without Marcus Smart have a challenge in front of them defensively, especially when it comes to guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. How will JJ Redick approach it? And what are the x-factors for LA? It could start with the centers. Can Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes eat into the advantage that OKC's bigs would seem to have on paper, led by Chet Holmgren? What about the Lakers bench? OKC's depth is well-documented, while the Lakers... have less. But there have been signs of life beyond the Big Three throughout this push up the standings, but to say the least the Lakers supporting players will be tested tonight.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Luka Vs. Shai, Lakers Vs. Thunder: Previewing Powerhouse Matchup Thursday in OKC

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 2 Apr 2026 07:00:00 +0000

This one has something for everyone.

MVP candidates going head to head? SGA and Luka mean "check."

Top level teams playing at the top of their games? Check. You can count the losses for these two teams over the last month on one had, with fingers left over.

All Stars? Luka! Shai! LeBron! Chet! Williams! Reaves (giving him credit for "woulda qualified" if not for health.

One key decision the head coaches have to make is about how to defend the other team's superstar. Luka and SGA are two players that are very, very difficult to knock off their games. So with that in mind, are teams better off trying to aggressively trap Luka? Throw multiple bodies at him? Let him go off and stop everyone else?

This is why the coaches get paid the big bucks!

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are in OKC on Thursday. What to watch!

SEGMENT 2: An MVP referendum, mixed with a postseason preview, with significant challenges for both teams.

SEGMENT 3: What to do with the superstars?

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Marcus Smart's Present and Future With the Lakers (Including Postseason Awards!))

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 21:00:00 +0000

The NBA announced this week that guard Marcus Smart is a finalist for the NBA's Twyman-Stokes Award that honors the league's best teammate.

It's really hard to parse who "deserves" an award like this one, but Smart's status as a finalist is richly deserved and reflects the lofty position he has with the Lakers as a voice and former of culture. He's been massivly important for this team, and it raises the question of what comes next. Smart has a player option for about $5 mil next season. Does he pick it up? Would there be a market for him were he to decline? Could Smart and the Lakers find a way for him to stay in LA for a few seasons at a number that makes everyone happy?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Luka Dončić Dominates Again, Scores 15,000th Career Point, Lakers Dismantle Cleveland 127-113

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 06:30:00 +0000

During three straight games against the bottom feeders of the NBA, the Lakers fluctuated between sloppy, professional and dominant, making Tuesday's game at home against Cleveland—the East's 4-seed—a much more intriguing matchup.

This is one where the Lakers would be playing a legitimate team with legitimate All-Stars. So how would they respond?

Pretty darn well, thank you! Final score, 127-113.

Luka Dončić dropped an efficient 42 on 13-26 shooting, adding 12 assists and a pair of steals, and even threw in a dunk for good measure! Five more Lakers scored in double figures, as the Lakers built a big lead in the second quarter and maintained it the rest of the way.

As a group, the Lakers took care of the ball. They also shared it. And critically, they moved on the proverbial string defensively, holding the Cavs to 19 points in that decisive second quarter. The lead dropped down a little in the fourth (as tight as 14) prompting JJ Redick to bring Luka back into the game when clearly the hope was that he'd sit for the rest of the way. But broadly speaking, these are small potato problems in a game against a high quality team.

The train just keeps rolling.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers send a message against the Cavs.

SEGMENT 2: Luka makes history.

SEGMENT 3: Confidence is sky high.

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How Continuity Impacts the MVP Race, the Playoffs and the Lakers' Offseason

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Monday, we talked about the MVP race, and whether Luka Dončić is getting a fair shake compared to the rest of the top candidates, or if the goalposts move more for the Lakers star (as they often do for those tied to the Lakers).

One interesting wrinkle to the conversation was provided by Iztok Franko, who notes that among all the MVP candidates, Luka has played more minutes with more guys who haven't spent much time together, yet he's putting up huge numbers and more importantly, the Lakers are piling up wins. But the continuity question has relevance that goes well past just the MVP voting. It'll have a big impact in the playoffs, as well. When teams like Denver (Jokic, Murray, Gordon, Braun, etc.) and Thunder (SGA, Williams, Dort, Wallace, Chet, etc.) can lean into reps and history in ways the Lakers can't.

On the other hand, the Lakers have guys like Luka and LeBron, who are arguably so advanced that they're continuity proof, so to speak. And then the Lakers have to think about how to build real continuity going forward this offseason.

Continuity! It's the word of the day, the month and the year to come.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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No Luka, No Problem: Lakers Take Care of Business Against the Wizards

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:10:00 +0000

The Lakers came into Monday's game against the visiting Wizards short both Luka Donćić (suspended) and Marcus Smart (ankle). In theory, it shouldn't have mattered, because Washington is awful and are doing their best to avoid winning.

And while it wasn't a perfect effort, the Lakers more than accomplished what was needed, shaking off a sluggish first quarter to pull ahead and stay ahead, ultimately winning 120-101. LA's two remaining stars put in tidy efforts. LeBron James led the way with 21 points on 8-16 shooting, plus 10 rebounds and 12 assists. Austin Reaves was cold early, but finished 4-11 en route to 19 points. In the first half particularly, Reaves piled up the assists, while taking good care of the ball. (That flipped a little in the second half.) Lakers centers didn't miss a field goal, combining for 31 points and 14 rebounds. Luke Kennard had 19.

And both LeBron and Reaves finished the game on the bench. Reaves only played 27 minutes, which is a gift given how many minutes he's piled up of late. With the Cavs coming to town Tuesday, light work for the stars is a welcome sight.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: No Luka, no problem.

SEGMENT 2: Another trip-dub for LeBron.

SEGMENT 3: Staying fresh for the Cavaliers.

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The Luka Dončić MVP Discourse Is Heating Up, and Making People Angry!

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

It's always good news for Lakers fans when there's controversy over a member of the purple and gold perhaps not getting the love they deserve for major postseason awards. It means the Lakers are winning, and a star is thriving.

Such is the case right now with Luka Dončić, who is performing at a level fairly unprecedented even by his lofty standards, while the Lakers are getting very close to locking up a three or four seed in the West. So it makes sense that attention is starting to focus on Luka as front-running MVP candidate, even if in the minds of Lakers fans it is coming later than it should. So beyond the conversation about whether he deserves to be in the mix - he obviously does - there's a larger one about how this all happens, anyway.

Is Luka being treated fairly in the debate?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Luka Dončić Suspended, Marcus Smart Out vs. Wiz. Plus, Is Golden State a Viable Spot for LeBron?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

There will be no give backs when it comes to this version of Luka's 16th tech. He is suspended and will miss Monday's game against the Wizards.

This shouldn't be a problem, because Washington is terrible. And they're also not trying to win. Like, nobody goes home happy if the Wizards pull the upset at the Crypt... including the Wizards. So taking care of business for the Lakers even without Luka is not something that should at all be a worry. More troublesome? Marcus Smart will miss his fourth straight game with an ankle injury that hasn't really been explained all that much by the Lakers. And while we're still three weeks away from the postseason, the sheer indespensableness of Smart makes this injury a concern.

The Lakers are going to struggle mightily to win the first round, and then pull an upset in the second, without him.

Finally, Golden State is emerging as a possible landing spot for LeBron James should he leave the Lakers... but why? Does it make sense? What is really happening when people have these conversations?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers won't have Luka on Monday.

SEGMENT 2: Why Smart's health is critical.

SEGMENT 3: LeBron to GSW?

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Sluggish Lakers Pull Away From Brooklyn 116-99, but Luka Gets 16th Tech

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

They say the two hardest games of a long road trip are the last one, and the first one back home after it's done.

The Lakers at the least proved the latter, struggling for about 3.5 quarters against the visiting, and terrible, Brooklyn Nets before building a lead and winning 116-99. It'll look in the box score like an easy win, but it was anything but. Luka Donćić led the way with 41 points, while Austin Reaves got hot late to add 26. The centers were productive, combining for 19 points, 15 rebounds and eight blocks.

But Luka picked up his 16th tech -- again -- after some jawing and a little push on Zaire Williams. The odds of this one being rescinded seem smaller. The NBA can only go back to that well so many times.

It wasn't attractive, they won't like it, and neither will JJ Redick, but the Lakers got the win.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Is JJ Redick Ready to be a Better Coach in the Playoffs This Year?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

By most measurements, JJ Redick had a successful rookie season as a head coach. Especially when you consider it was his first time coaching players older than middle school.

But when the playoffs rolled around, some of Redick's inexperience showed. From the way he prepared the team, to decisions made during the series, it was clear the Lakers were, at best, not elevated by their head coach. Now the Lakers are in a similar position, closing in on a 3-seed after a strong push while overcoming a variety of challenges inside the season.

So is Redick, with another year under his belt, ready to be an asset to the Lakers this postseason? Are there tangible signs of improvement?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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5 Reasons the Lakers are Better Equipped for This Year's Playoffs

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

The Lakers had all sorts of momentum heading into last year's playoffs, seemingly at least, and plenty of pundits who thought they'd beat Minnesota in the first round -- your hosts here included -- and potentially make a legit deep run.

Well, we know how that turned out.

In the end, some of their shortcomings -- no viable centers, a lack of point of attack defense, spotty outside shooting -- were bigger issues than anticipated. This year, the Lakers have played dominant ball over the last few weeks, and once again look poised to enter the postseason on a high note. So are they actually better than last year, or could once again fans be peering at a mirage?

Well, on paper at least it seems like the former. The center position is improved, with Deandre Ayton playing well and Jaxson Hayes a significantly better player now than he was last year (and he'll be up against backups, which helps). Luke Kennard provides serious shooting chops, and meaningful gravity. Marcus Smart has done wonders for the D. LeBron James has a role that should suit sustained playoff success, and Luka Dončić is playing better now than he was at this point last year... a season where he started the year hurt and played catchup the rest of the way.

That's a lot of reason for optimism. Doesn't mean they're not flawed, but last year's problems at least shouldn't be this year's. Not to the same degree, at least.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are poised to be better in the postseason.

SEGMENT 2: Centers! Smart! Kennard!

SEGMENT 3: Why improvement at the top is critical, too.

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JJ Redick Says the Lakers Will Push for Wins ... While Still Being Smart

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

The Lakers are in a very good position, with a decent lead over Denver and Minnesota for the third and fourth seeds in the West (critical, given they deliver home court in the first round), and a schedule including four games against tanking teams plus one against a Warriors squad that is trying to win but has major injury issues.

So with that in mind, they should have the opportunity to handle the rest question for players in whatever way they see best.

And with that in mind, JJ Redick says they're going to keep pushing through to the end... while also being smart about it.

If guys are hurt, they'll sit. But at least for now, don't look for wholesale absences due just to rest. Redick wants to keep the rhythm and chemistry going, and surely is informed by last season's Game 1 failure against Minnesota, where Redick blamed himself for not pushing the team harder during the week between the team's last game and the start of their series.

So is he coming at it the right way?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Luka Dončić Drops 43, Lakers Beat Pacers, Finish Road Trip 5-1

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 05:45:00 +0000

The Lakers understood the assignment and while they may not have scored an A+++ in completing it, the work was plenty good.

They raced out to a big first quarter lead, and spent most of the game up between 15 and 20 before a late push from Indiana, but the Lakers were never truly threatened and beat the Pacers 137-130 and finish the road trip 5-1.

The Lakers were playing without Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton, who was downgraded Wednesday with lower back soreness. Still, four of the five starters finished in double figures, paced by Luka Donćić's 43 points. Austin Reaves had a strong second half, LeBron was an assist and a rebound away from a triple double, and Jaxson Hayes had 21 filling in for Ayton. Even Bronny James gave them good minutes off the bench.

So all in all, this was a very, very good night. The last game in a long road trip is often a big challenge, and the Lakers never let Indiana think they were going to win.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers win in Indiana, finish the trip strong.

SEGMENT 2: The Big Three keep cooking.

SEGMENT 3: JJ says they'll play through the tape.

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NBPA Calls to Abolish 65-Game Rule... and Giannis Needs to Make a Choice

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

A few of the NBA's chronic headaches have been on fuller display this season than is typical. Starting with the problems associated with tanking, and now with the 65-game rule instituted in the last CBA to encourage players and teams to manage load management. Too many players were missing important games, went the logic, so tie games played to eligibility for postseason honors.

It was a bad policy targeting the wrong source of the problem, and this year, with seemingly half the league's best players ineligible, things have finally come to a head. The last straw seemed to be the injury to Pistons star Cade Cunningham, who likely will fall just short of the threshold after suffering a collapsed lung.

The NBAPA has called for the rule's removal. The league seems open to it.

And meanwhile, there's an interesting situation brewing in Milwaukee, where Giannis says he wants to play, and the Bucks are saying no. Now who is being truly honest here? Certainly the Bucks, who have no incentive to put an already banged-up Giannis at risk for more injury. Giannis himself, however, is in a win-win. Just by saying he wants to play, he looks like an honorable guy, dedicated to the franchise. Again, being a good soldier who is too respectful and dedicated to the fans of Milwaukee to ask for a trade.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Why It Might Actually Make Sense for the Lakers to Bring Back LeBron for One More Season

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

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Why Marcus Smart Is the Most Important Player on the Lakers (Not Named Luka, Austin or LeBron)

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

The Lakers played Monday without Marcus Smart, who is day to day with an ankle injury.

They lost, and the win streak stopped at nine. Is Smart's absence the reason the Pistons topped LA? Not directly, but as JJ Redick noted after, it played a big role. And the game certainly reinforced the outsized role Smart has in the team's success. He's been a catalyst for their defensive improvement, a big influence on a strong team culture, and playing with him (as opposed to Rui Hachimura) has helped turn the Big Three into a net positive from a net negative.

Put it all together, and while it's hard to argue he's as important as those three guys... it's maybe not as big a gap as you might think.

Smart is as indispensable to LA's playoff hopes as anyone on the roster. If Deandre Ayton raises the ceiling, Smart prevents the floor from dropping out.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Lakers Fight but Lose in Detroit, Win Streak Ends at Nine

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 05:50:00 +0000

The Lakers tried, coming back from down by as much as 16 points Monday night in Detroit, but ultimately they couldn't keep the win streak alive.

It dies at nine, as the Pistons top LA, 113-110.

Daniss Jankins, in the lineup replacing Detroit's MVP candidate Cade Cunningham, lit up the purple and gold. HIs 30 points included the game winning points, including the bucket putting Detroit up by three with about ten seconds to play. The Lakers got the ball into Luka Dončić, but the play was jacked from the start and Luka's last second heave never had a chance.

He finished with an inefficient 32. Austin Reaves had another good game, with 24 points on 15 FGAs, plus five assists. LeBron James, held scoreless in the first half, was one rebound away from a trip-dub by the end. Playing a little shorthanded (no Marcus Smart, no Rui Hachimura) a tired Lakers team did what they could. You can't fault the effort. And LA can still finish the trip at 5-1 by beating Indiana on Wednesday.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The streak finally ends.

SEGMENT 2: JJ likes what he's seen.

SEGMENT 3: Big game Wednesday.

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Are the Lakers Good Vibes About More Than Just Winning?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Six weeks ago, it was a different conversation. But now?

The vibes around the Lakers are immaculate. Granted, winning nine in a row and getting some separation in the Western Conference is enough to make a team feel good about itself, but is there more going on here? How do the vibes contribute to the winning? What about the way in which they're winning is helping contribute to the vibes? And why do the vibes matter, anyway?

And what about timing? As we've seen these things can shift, and quickly. But with about 10 games left in the regular season, does the way the Lakers are playing carry a little extra significance?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Luka Donċić's 16th Technical Foul Rescinded by the NBA. He'll Play Vs. Detroit

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

It seemed like a possibility, and Sunday it came through -- the NBA has rescinded the technical foul it called on Luka Dončić in Saturday's game in Orlando. It would have been Luka's 16th, and forced his suspension for Monday's game in Detroit.

Now he can play, and it gives the Lakers a solid advantage against a Pistons team that won't have Cade Cunningham, or one of his backups in Marcus Sasser. The Lakers will be potentially shorthanded as well, with both Rui Hachimura and Marcus Smart added to the injury list as questionable, joining Maxi Kleber, who has been upgraded to questionable.

Still with all three of their stars and a nine game win streak, the Lakers have a much better shot at this game than it would have seemed 10 days ago. And with a couple more victories, the Lakers will have a shot to truly craft their lead up to the postseason.

Meanwhile, LeBron doesn't know ABBA, and the Lakers benefitted from a favorable last two minute report. These things do even out over a season.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Luka can play!

SEGMENT 2: A nice two minute report for LA.

SEGMENT 3: An opportunity knocks.

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Luke Kennard Game Winner Gives Lakers 9th Straight Win, 105-104

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 04:00:00 +0000

It wasn't easy, but the win streak continues. After a very challenging second half in which both teams completely lost the thread offensively, the Lakers needed a last second shot from Luke Kennard to push them past Orlando, 105-104.

That's nine straight wins for the purple and gold, who continue to put some space between themselves and the other contenders in the West.

Luka Dončić finished with 33, most of that coming in the first half, and Austin Reaves had 26.

Luka also picked up his 16th technical foul, which will leave him suspended for LA's next game in Detroit. JJ Redick says they're going to try and get it rescinded, so stay tuned.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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What's Behind the Mini-Slump for Austin Reaves?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 21:45:00 +0000

The Lakers are rolling, having won eight straight games and staking a claim to the third seed in the West.

Luka Dončić is starting to change the conversation around the MVP race. LeBron James is thriving in a reconsidered role with the team, where his usage goes down but his impact stays high. Marcus Smart is Marcus Smarting, and Deandre Ayton is, at least for now, delivering consistent effort nightly.

Austin Reaves, however, has been more inconsistent.

Some games have been spectacular, some quiet on the scoring front but busy in other spots. He's not been bad, but Reaves also hasn't played at the necessary level, night in and night out. His usage/workload has increased, and he's playing as many minutes as anyone in the league. So what explains the inconsistency? Should the Lakers be worried?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Luka Dončić Scores 60 Points, LeBron Triple-Double Leads Lakers to 8th Straight Win

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 04:15:00 +0000

Luka Dončić dropped 40 points Wednesday night in Houston. Pretty good!

Well, with the Lakers road weary, having reached their hotel in Miami around 5:30 am, Luka went even bigger on Thursday. 60 points, on 18-30 from the floor, 15-19 from the line. And the Lakers needed every point, using a big third quarter and a strong fourth to hold off the Heat, 134-126. LeBron James added a triple-double (19/15/10), and from there the Lakers got just enough to get over the finish line.

But this one was all about Luka. To say he's elevating over the last month-plus is an understatement.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get 60 points from Luka, beat Miami.

SEGMENT 2: LeBron trip-dub.

SEGMENT 3: Lakers peaking?

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A Tough Challenge In Miami for the Lakers, Plus Deandre Ayton's Mental Shift

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

The Lakers arrived in Miami at about 4:30 am following Wednesday's critical win in Houston. To say the least, turning around and playing at 5 pm local time won't be easy. All three of the team's stars are listed as questionable, and nobody should be surprised if any combination of them don't play.

(And if the NBA has an issue with it, blame the schedule maker.)

Moreover, the Heat present a variety of challenges based on personnel and playing style that would be notable under normal circumstances, and heightened given the context. The flip side: Given how the Lakers bench has scuffled of late, would it be the worst thing in the world for some of these guys to have a high usage game and get the opportunity to find a groove?

One guy who is back on the ball? Deandre Ayton, who as Dan Woike wrote about at The Athletic, seems to have been doing a lot of introspection of late, to his benefit and the team's.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Luka Dončić (40 Points), LeBron (30) Lift Lakers to Critical 124-116 Win Over Houston

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 05:50:00 +0000

Monday, the Lakers picked up a big win in Houston, giving them a little bit of separation in the Western Conference standings and an opportunity to do something bigger on Wednesday night, in the back end of an unusual two game set against the same opponent on their home floor.

Once again, the Lakers came through.

Led by a huge game, including a massive fourth quarter, from Luka Dončić -- 40 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists -- the Lakers picked up another victory, 124-116. This gives LA yet another tiebreaker in the Western Conference standings, a trifecta against their three closest competitors in the standings (Denver, Houston, Minnesota). LeBron James was fantastic as well, dominating in the open floor in particular en route to 30 points on 13-14 shooting, including a ton of dunks.

Austin Reaves had 14 points and eight assists against only one TO, Deandre Ayton had 18, matching Houston's All Star center Alperen Sengun, who returned to the lineup after missing Monday's game.

The Lakers will now head to Miami, getting in VERY early Thursday morning. Don't be shocked if the Lakers treat it as a scheduled loss, which they can do if needed, given the progress over the last month.

Huge win. Huge.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Luka powers another win for the Lakers.

SEGMENT 2: The LeBron Formula on steroids.

SEGMENT 3: Lakers control their destiny.

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How Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and LeBron James Have Built Synergy: A New Hierarchy in LA

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Minutes for the Big 3 have gone from a major liability to a major strength for the Lakers.

And because of it, how folks view the rest of the regular season and postseason (and offseason, though those conversations can wait) is undergoing a serious transformation. So how did we get here? Monday in Houston, JJ Redick talked about how the Lakers have rethought the usage of their top three players, with Luka Dončić obviously maintaining his place at the top of the food chain, but engineering a shift between Austin Reaves and LeBron James that elevates Reaves on the ball, and lowers LeBron's usage to historic levels.

Why has it worked? What does it say about the strengths and weaknesses of each player? And perhaps most importantly, about the culture of buy-in LA has built?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Can the Lakers Win Again vs. Rockets? Big Challenges for a Big Rematch

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

The Lakers pulled off a big win Monday in Houston, taking the first of this somewhat unusual two game set against the same team in their city.

Game 2 has a lot a stake, most notably that the winner has what could become a very, very critical tiebreaker for winning the season series. And for the Lakers, not only would they get that advantage, they'd do it while putting another game in between themselves and Houston. So big stuff for sure.

It will, though, be a tougher test for the Lakers, since Rockets All-Star Alperen Sengun is expected to play in this one. What changes with Sengun back? A lot. But it also might make on player for the Lakers happier. Meanwhile, the Lakers are unlikely to hold Kevin Durant down as effectively in the second go, but at the same time, will Austin Reaves miss all of his triples? What stays the same, and what changes, from Monday.

Finally, would the Lakers be wise to ask the NBA to start Luka Dončić with 12 T's next season? We kid... sort of.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Sengun returns for the rematch.

SEGMENT 2: Can the Lakers keep KD down?

SEGMENT 3: Luka minds his manners, and thrives.

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Does Luka Dončić Deserve More MVP Consideration? (And How the Answer Reflects Lakers Chances...)

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

So the Lakers are playing much better, having moved up to a third seed and with a win Wednesday in Houston will secure tiebreakers against all three of the teams closest to them in the Western Conference standings (Minnesota, Denver and the Rockets). So with that team success, is it time for Luka Dončić to be more than a passing consideration in the MVP conversation?

His numbers on the year are great, and have been particularly good since the All-Star break. Including on the defensive side of things!

So should Luka be right up there with the Nikola Jokic's of the world? What happens if the Lakers keep winning?

And more importantly, is THIS Luka the one that can carry the Lakers deeper into the postseason than people expect?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Luka Dončić Scores 36, Lakers Play Strong Defense, Beat Houston 100-92

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 05:55:00 +0000

Before Monday's game in Houston, JJ Redick said he thought it would be a rock fight, and he wasn't wrong.

But the Lakers once again used strong defense and a great late-game run to beat the Rockets, 100-92. Aside from a neat and efficient 36 point effort from Luka Dončić (14-27 shooting), the Lakers struggled to find points. LeBron James finished with 18 points (7-13 shooting) and Austin Reaves had 15... but needed 18 attempts to get there. (He missed all eight three pointers he tried.)

But there were still a bunch of different ways guys contributed, from an excellent final five minutes from Deandre Ayton to five free throws from Jake LaRavia, and a critical 3-pointer from Marcus Smart down the stretch. And everyone kicked in defensively, as the Lakers put a lot of pressure on Kevin Durant to get the ball from his hands.

With the win, the Lakers gain sole possession of third place in the West, and have a chance to clinch the tiebreaker over the Rockets in Wednesday's season series rubber match.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: A huge, Luka 'n' D driven win over Houston.

SEGMENT 2: Finding new ways to get it done.

SEGMENT 3: Best defensive showing of the year?

Everydayer Club
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Can Luka Dončić, Lakers, Keep Rolling in Houston? Previewing Lakers Vs. Rockets!

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

The Lakers have something going, having won eight of nine, including a nice stack of quality wins against good opponents, capped by Saturday's buzzer beating OT victory over the Nuggets.

Now the tests continue, starting with the first of two games in Houston against the Rockets. Win both, and the Lakers can secure yet another tiebreaker against a quality conference rival. But even without a sweep, the Lakers can make a strong statement with two solid efforts. So can Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves continue their run of outstanding play against some high end defenders? Can the Lakers figure out how to defend the amount of length Houston brings to the table?

What should people be looking for in the first of the two games? We break it down.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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The Lakers are Giving Reasons to Believe: What's Different About This Hot Streak

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

The Lakers have won eight of nine, and the ninth was a loss in Denver to the Nuggets that, even with a terrible first three minutes, was there for the taking in the final possessions of the game.

Slowly and consistently, they've started chipping away at the most common criticisms. They only beat bad teams, not good ones. The defense can't perform at a high level. The Big Three can't win minutes on the floor together. It's not quite safe to say the Lakers have solved all of those problems, but signs are definitely positive. At some point, it's reasonable to believe they should be seen to be as good, and with as good a chance of doing damage in the postseason, as any of the teams in the Western Conference's 2nd tier (i.e. not OKC or San Antonio).

Of course, if the Lakers really want to make believers out of people (and, if we're being frank, significantly boost their own confidence), strong performances against the Rockets this week (Monday and Wednesday, both in Houston) will go a long way.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers found something over the last few weeks.

SEGMENT 2: What has changed about how people evaluate the team.

SEGMENT 3: What's next?

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Luka Game Winner Gives LA 127-125 OT Win Vs. Denver, Gain Tiebreaker

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sun, 15 Mar 2026 05:50:00 +0000

Well that was nuts.

The Lakers opened what would eventually be a 127-125 OT win over Denver with 15 minutes of their best basketball this year. Red hot shooting! Attentive, aggressive defense!

But things slowed down getting to half, and in the third quarter the large lead the Lakers had completely evaporated. In the fourth, they fell behind by as much as seven... and then came back! And the bucket pushing them into OT came off an intentionally missed free throw by Austin Reaves, who got his own rebound and scored. Nobody has ever seen that work.

Luka Doncic finished with 30/11/13, Reaves had 32/7/6, LeBron James 17/6/5, Marcus Smart (who was incredible defensively) finished with 21, including five 3-pointers.

As a result the Lakers win the tiebreaker over Denver, which could be crucial before the end of the year.

Huge win for LA.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Nuggets-Lakers Preview! Tie-Breaker Stakes! Luka Dončić vs. Nikola Jokic!

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

The Lakers have a critical game coming on Sunday against the Nuggets, the only team to beat them over the last seven games.

It's one that could go a long way to determining seeding in the Western Conference, and a win would give the Lakers a big tiebreaker advantage over Denver to go along with the tiebreaker they've already earned over Minnesota.

The Nuggets will be playing a stronger hand, with Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon and Spencer Jones all expected to play after missing last week's game. The Lakers, on the other hand, will almost surely be missing Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes, with Marcus Smart a major question mark. That'll put a lot of pressure not only on the Big Three, but players like Deandre Ayton to continue his recent run of good play.

So what to watch for? We break it down, here.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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FanDuel
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Luka Dončić Scores 51, Austin Reaves 30 as Lakers Cruise Past Bulls, 142-130

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 06:40:00 +0000

The Lakers have now won 7 of 8, and occupy the third seed in the Western Conference after beating Chicago at Crypto.com Arena, final score 142-130.

This was a night where the Lakers locked down periodically on defense -- those were the moments where they put some space between themselves and Chicago -- but were rock stars on the other end, led by Luka Dončić. LA's MVP candidate was cooking all night, finishing with a smooth 51 points on 17-31 shooting, including 9-14 from downtown. Austin Reaves added 30 points of his own. Deandre Ayton? How about 23/10. Rui Hachimura, starting for the injured Marcus Smart had 15. LeBron James, questionable heading into the game, played and finished with 18 points, with seven boards and seven dimes.

And it's a good thing the starters were so hot, because the bench gave the Lakers five points. Five.

No matter. The Lakers keep things rolling and get the win they needed. On to Denver Saturday.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Holy Luka!

SEGMENT 2: Ayton helps set a tone.

SEGMENT 3: Denver on Saturday.

Everydayer Club
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Quo
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Betterhelp
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Indeed
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Gametime
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FanDuel
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Why Centers Could Be Key for the Lakers in the Stretch Run and Playoffs

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

The Lakers have received a lift in the last couple of games through the activity and production of Deandre Ayton. The mercurial center has come out with significantly more energy, and has generally played better since namedropping Clint Capela in a fairly disparaging way.

But the Lakers need him to keep it up, no question. They're a different team when Ayton produces (noted by the record when he logs 15/10 on any given night). But with a fully healthy team, the lakers aren't likely to be able to find Ayton enough shots to put up 15-20 every night, and meanwhile his minutes likely settle between 20-25 minutes rather than 25-30.

But the motor? That can run all the time.

And for the Lakers, the possibility of having a higher caliber starting center than last season (Ayton vs. Jaxson Hayes) combined with a better backup center (Today Hayes vs. Last Year Hayes) and a healthy Maxi Kleber (who has been deployed effectively at different times this year) means the center position is in line for a significant upgrade compared to last year.

That gives JJ Redick far more options, allows the Lakers to match up better, and then do things like go small -- still a very effective lineup -- when they want to, rather than because they have to.

That's a big deal, potentially. So keep an eye on the bigs!

Meanwhile, Austin Reaves had some very revealing, and potentially encouraging, comments about accountability following Tuesday's win.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Lakers Fans React to Bam Adebayo's 83 Point Game... Plus, Injuries Again an Issue?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

The Lakers are rolling, and feeling pretty good about themselves.

All the more reason to pay attention on Thursday against Chicago to what is undoubtedly a trap game. The Lakers have huge games just around the corner, with Houston, Denver, Orlando and more, so it'll be easy to overlook a Bulls team that has a couple decent players but overall is pretty darn lousy.

That the Lakers will likely be without LeBron James and Marcus Smart only drives home the need to pay attention. Taking care of business is an important step in continuing the upward trajectory the team currently enjoys.

From there, it's all about Bam Adebayo and his 83-point game on Tuesday against Washington. Lakers fans, like many NBA observers, didn't receive it well. Of course for Lakers fans, the significance of Kobe's 81-point game, which is now third in single game scoring, has meaning on multiple levels.

More points, though, doesn't necessarily mean more impressive, and to say the least, what each of these games represents for the players themselves is different.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers have a trap game coming Thursday night.

SEGMENT 2: Bam gets 83 for Miami.

SEGMENT 3: Lakers fans react to Adebayo's performance.

Everydayer Club
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Deandre Ayton Found His Groove Again? Did Postgame Press Conference Mean Anything?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

The Lakers have an enigma at center, everyone knows that. On Tuesday, Deandre Ayton was a key piece of the team's success in a critical win over Minnesota.

It's fair to say, though, that those results haven't been the standard since about the first five weeks of the year.

It's also fair to say that there are games -- Sunday against the Knicks being a great example -- where Ayton plays well and the numbers don't jump off the page... and people still complain. Likely many who didn't watch the game. What matters for the Lakers, though, is a lot of the eye test stuff. How engaged is he? How quickly is he moving defensively? Is he battling on the boards? Setting hard screens?

That stuff is often going to matter more than the number of points he scores, because on a team with Luka, Reaves and LeBron, there are only so many shots to be had.

But getting Ayton on track consistently is a big thing for the Lakers if they want to move forward.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and Aggressive Defense Give Lakers a 120-106 Win Over Minnesota

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

The Lakers had a major confidence building win over the Knicks Sunday at Crypto.com, and Tuesday they hoped to send a message with another resounding win.

Mission accomplished.

In a game that started as a rock fight where neither team could seem to buy a bucket, the Lakers would find their stride and put some space between them and the Wolves, using a dominant third quarter to pull away and build a lead they'd never come close to giving up. Final score, 120-106. Luka Dončić finishes with 31/11/11, with a pair of steals and a block. Austin Reaves was excellent as well, nearly finishing with a triple double of his own - 31/7/8, with only one turnover.

But those two had help. Deandre Ayton was excellent, with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Luke Kennard had 10 points, and Jake LaRavia was an inspiration, getting beat up left and right but still figuring out ways to contribute.

So in the end, the Lakers pick up a big win that leaves them sitting in fourth in a crowded Western Conference, winners of six of their last seven games and a chance to get another on Thursday against an extremely mid Bulls team.

All of a sudden the vibes have changed.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get a big win vs. Minnesota.

SEGMENT 2: Luka and Reaves thrive.

SEGMENT 3: Finding a real stride defensively?

Everydayer Club
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Grading JJ Redick, Bench Players to Trust and More Mailbag Q's, Plus an LA Vs. Minny Preview

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 21:50:00 +0000

The Lakers have a huge game Tuesday night at Crypto.com against the Timberwolves, and we've got a preview to get you ready. What to watch for! Who to watch for! Keys to the game!

Then, it's time to open up the mailbag. Listener Q's, including some coming live from the show broadcast at our Locked On Lakers YouTube channel:

Who do you trust on the bench?
Can Ayton step up in the postseason?
Will Austin Reaves outperform LeBron in the playoffs?
Grade JJ Redick.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

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Indeed
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FanDuel
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Can the Lakers Build Momentum Vs. Minnesota, or was Sunday's Win a Fluke?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:00:00 +0000

The Lakers rightly felt good about themselves following Sunday's win over the Knicks at home, playing arguably their best defensive game of the season, holding one of the league's best offensive teams under 100 points.

For a team that had struggled mightily to play good ball against good opposition, it was a significant win in ways going beyond the standings. Now the challenge is to build on it, as another Western Conference contender comes to town. With a win over Minnesota, the Lakers could put themselves back in the top four in the Western Conference, and go a little farther not just in quieting the critics, but also giving themselves the sort of confidence boost that, if we're all being honest, would be beneficial.

Of course, who plays is a big question. LeBron James is listed as questionable, adding a bruised hip to his list of ailments.

Whether he plays or not, the Lakers will need big nights from Austin Reaves, who has been excellent in two games against Minnesota this year, and also supporting players like Deandre Ayton.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are trying to keep momentum going.

SEGMENT 2: What to watch for vs. Minnesota.

SEGMENT 3: Playing baby LeBron 1-on-1? Plus PT for Adou Thiero?

Everydayer Club
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Does Sunday's Win Over New York Indicate the Lakers Better Without LeBron James?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 9 Mar 2026 21:00:00 +0000

The Lakers scored a big win Sunday over the Knicks, 110-97. It was quite possibly the best defensive game they've played all season. Many fans noted that LeBron James spent the game in street clothes (foot, elbow) and made a straight line connection to his absence and the results.

So are the Lakers better off without LeBron?

Broadly, no. But are they less complicated? Probably.

And where does LeBron's presence have the most negative impact? It's not on the side of the ball people tend to look.

And the debate itself reflects how a certain section of fans has always felt about LeBron as a Laker.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Lakers Defense Fuels 110-97 Win Over New York, Luka Dončić Scores 35, Austin Reaves 25

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 9 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Lakers fans (and NBA observers) have spent much of the year discounting the team's fairly impressive record by noting that most of the losses have come against the league's more successful teams. Often in blowout fashion. When will LA beat good the good teams?

Well, Sunday the Knicks rolled into Crypto.com Arena as a Certified Good Team, and the Lakers used great defense, consistent effort and good-enough offensive performances to grind out a 110-97 win. It wasn't perfect, and the Lakers benefitted from cold shooting by the New York. But that's true of almost every game across the league. The Lakers controlled this one more or less throughout. They used strong physical play to frustrate the Knicks and particularly Jalen Brunson, for three quarters at least.

In terms of individual performances, Luka Dončić paced the squad with 35 points. Austin Reaves came out aggressive and finished with 25. How important was Marcus Smart defensively? He was 1-10 from the floor, and finished a +26. Luke Kennard and Rui Hachimura combined for 25 points. The team put pressure on the rim, getting to the line 30 times, and kept turnovers (13) at a reasonable level.

The offense definitely bogged down -- you noticed the absence of LeBron James -- but it was a nice twist for the team to be bailed out repeatedly by its defense.

It's a nice confidence boost as the Lakers head into a stretch of very difficult games.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers win, over a good team!

SEGMENT 2: An aggressive Austin Reaves.

SEGMENT 3: Still need more from the offense.

Everydayer Club
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Luka Scores 44 Points in 3 Quarters, Lakers Cruise Over Pacers, 128-117

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sat, 7 Mar 2026 07:15:00 +0000

Sometimes your best player decides he's going to win the game early.

That was Luka Dončić on Friday against Indiana. With the Lakers short LeBron James, Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber, Luka was in control from the jump, helping the Lakers get out to an early lead (despite some inconsistencies in the team's play) that they never gave up. For good measure, Donćić added nine boards and three steals. Austin Reaves was ice cold early, but rallied to finish with 19/5. Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard all finished in double figures as well.

Was it an inspiring victory? It was not. But it was a palate cleanser for the Lakers after a disappointing loss Thursday in Denver.

Now the Lakers start a really tough stretch of games, beginning Sunday against the Knicks.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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What Can LeBron James Give the Lakers Down the Stretch and In the Playoffs?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 6 Mar 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Thursday, LeBron James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all time leader in field goals. Impressive! And part of a string of records and "passed (player) to become (thing)" accomplishments he'll continue piling up until he quits.

But while it's cool for the Lakers to have this stuff happen while he's wearing the purple and gold, the bigger question for this season is how his play, which has definitely improved after a slow start, can be a contributing factor to a strong stretch run and postseason. Since the calendar turned to 2026, LeBron has looked much more like the guy we've been accustomed to over the last two decades... but not totally that guy. Both the floor and ceiling are a little lower, the length of time he can control games a little shorter.

Still really good, but different. So what does that mean for the next 20 games, and what the Lakers still hope will be a real playoff run? What is LeBron able to add to that effort? And is he the player we should be talking about?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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The Lakers Fight Hard, but Miss Opportunities In 120-113 Loss to Denver

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 6 Mar 2026 07:20:00 +0000

The Lakers started Thursday's game about as poorly as you could imagine, failing to get a bucket and turning it over. Denver went up 11-0 before the Lakers even scratched.

It meant the Lakers were playing uphill the rest of the way, and will be kicking themselves over the results.

They chipped away and chipped away over the course of the game, and put themselves in a position to win, using strong defense that turned into offense. They got some timely shooting (until they didn't). But in the end, the hole they were trying to climb out of was too deep. Final score, 120-113. Luka Donćić scored 27 points, adding 11 boards and seven dimes. He also picked up what appeared to be a dubious 15th technical foul of the season. LeBron James and Austin Reaves each had an efficient 16, and Rui Hachimura had 16 as well. (His best game ina a while.)

Jaxson Hayes, who played big minutes after Deandre Ayton left with a bum knee, piled up a bunch of dunks en route to 19 points.

The Lakers will likely be kicking themselves for not finishing out the comeback, letting a game that ultimately was there for the taking get away.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers fight but fall short.

SEGMENT 2: The Lakers will be kicking themselves.

SEGMENT 3: LeBron sets records.

Everydayer Club
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Betterhelp
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Indeed
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Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
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Are the Lakers Looking to Build "Dallas 2.0" Around Luka Dončić as Offseason Plan?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Chris Mannix (SI) is the latest NBA reporter to relay the Lakers' plan to pattern an offseason roster build around Luka Doncic in a similar way to the roster the Dallas Mavericks put around him during a 2024 run to the NBA Finals. It makes sense, but how viable and realistic is this, from where the Lakers currently stand?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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The Lakers Have an Opportunity for a Big Win In Denver

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000

The Lakers have won three straight... but against opponents that won't exactly impress anyone. Thursday night, however, the Lakers visit Denver, and while the Nuggets are short key players (Peyton Watson, Aaron Gordon most notably) they still have Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, and Denver is always a tough place to play. So what would it mean to go on the road and get the win? How can the Lakers get it done?

From there, the Lakers continue to make hires that reshape the front office. Mostly on the business side to this point, but those are revealing in their own right.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers need a big win in Denver.

SEGMENT 2: Can the role players deliver?

SEGMENT 3: More front office hires.

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Luka, LeBron and Reaves are Playing Better Together: Has JJ Redick Found the Right Balance?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 4 Mar 2026 22:00:00 +0000

The Lakers as a team have been up and down following the All-Star break, but the performance of the Big Three -- Luka Donćić, LeBron James and Austin Reaves -- has improved while all three share the court. The well-known data point of their poor performance over the first 152 minutes together this season (which took until February to happen) has been balanced over a much stronger result over the last seven.

It's an equally small sample size (about 142 minutes), but as a result, the trio is now about a net neutral for the year.

Does that mean JJ Redick has found something on tape? That the players themselves have started to figure some stuff out? Both?

What does it mean for the team and the coaching staff if in fact the Lakers have figured out a way for those guys to play together without the team getting crushed?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Marcus Smart Leads 4th Quarter Defense, Strong Finish Pushes Lakers Past Pelicans

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 4 Mar 2026 16:20:00 +0000

The Lakers found themselves in a bit of a rock fight on Tuesday, playing a Pelicans team with a lousy record but some quality players, and heading into the fourth were actually down three.

And in a nice turn, LA used a very strong defensive stretch in combination with some balanced offense and timely shotmaking and in the end. Down by four with about nine minutes to go, the Lakers outscored New Orleans 27-14 the rest of the way, including a 17-7 run in the final 5:39. Luka Dončić led the team in scoring with 27 points, along with 10 rebounds and seven assists, but all five Lakers starters finished in double digits.

LeBron James was a major catalyst, not only starting the game strong but using his size in transition to help fuel the Lakers attack. Jaxson Hayes and Deandre Ayton combined to give the Lakers good minutes at center. But among the supporting cast, the star was Marcus Smart, who was his typically disruptive self defensively throughout, but also had a timely 3-pointer late, and made some good plays to set up teammates.

The Lakers might not have inspired a lot of people beating New Orleans and needing plenty of energy and about 46 minutes to do it. But they won, and it's something to build on.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzkyy

SEGMENT 1: Balance big as Lakers beat New Orleans.

SEGMENT 2: The Lakers are making progress, right?

SEGMENT 3: Huge game Thursday coming.

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Can the Lakers Develop Young Players Effectively? Do They Even Try?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 3 Mar 2026 22:00:00 +0000

The buyout period has come and gone, and the Lakers don't seem to have missed out on much by signing guard Kobe Bufkin as quickly as they did. In the end, very few players of note actually changed squads, and of those that did (Cam Thomas to Milwaukee, for example) it's hard to see how the Lakers would have been their choice.

Would Jeremy Sochan (now in New York) be playing more than Bufkin? Probably, if on the margins, because Bufkin isn't playing at all. But would he be making a material difference? Probably not.

So that's one concern among fans that has passed, but it does lead to another question.

The Lakers signed Bufkin in part because he's a young player who has lit up the G-League after washing out with the Hawks. For a team with few young players and draft assets, it's not an unreasonable strategy. But once they have young players in the system, do the Lakers do a decent job developing them? Do their young players improve? Are they better at identifying potential NBA talent than they are understanding the value of those players and keeping them? (Think about guys like Scottie Pippen Jr., or Jay Huff.)

What keeps the Lakers from doing more meaningful player development?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Is Austin Reaves Sacrificing Stats Alongside Luka, LeBron? Plus, are the Pelicans a Trap Game?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 3 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000

It's good for the Lakers to have the Big Three available, and even better when the Big Three actually produce positive results as a trio, as they've slowly started to do.

But it does require some sacrifices from all three. And most notably, from Austin Reaves.

AR put up big numbers at the start of the season when LeBron James was unavailable, and particularly big numbers when James and Luka Dončić were both out. But when all three of them play, it's Reaves who seems to have given up the biggest proportion of his offensive opportunities. So what are the results from that? And how could that impact the way the Lakers are looking at next season, when the Big Three presumably becomes the Big Two, if LeBron leaves as many expect?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers have the Big Three back... so what changes?

SEGMENT 2: Sacrifices for Reaves.

SEGMENT 3: Do not take the Pelicans lightly!

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Luke Kennard Is Making a Big Impact... Can He Be a Difference Maker in the Postseason?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 2 Mar 2026 22:00:00 +0000

When the Lakers acquired Luke Kennard at the trade deadline, most fans understood the team was getting one of the best shooters in the league, not just this year but throughout his career.

The good news for the team is Kennard's skill set is much more diverse than just shooting. He's been extremely effective from two point range, at the rim, and as a secondary playmaker and even a solid rebounder for his position.

It's also clear that JJ Redick highly values what Kennard does to raise the floor of the offense as both a floor spacer and a playmaker.

The flip side comes on defense, where Kennard is willing but deficient. He adds to a list of players that teams eagerly switch hunt Lakers in search of vulnerabilities, whether because they're smaller/slower (ex. Kennard, Austin Reaves) or a player like Luka Donćić where not only can he be beat off the dribble, but also where it's to their advantage to make him run around and try to press through screens.

So can he raise the team's floor in the playoffs, or will Kennard become a 180-degree version of Jarred Vanderbilt, played off the floor because of his D?

And what does Kennard's performance mean for next year, when the Lakers will look to construct a roster that fits around Luka?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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28 from Luka, 24 from LeBron Lead Lakers to Easy 128-104 Win Over Sacramento

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 2 Mar 2026 06:35:00 +0000

The Lakers got up early, taking fast control of Sunday's game at home against the Sacramento Kings, using the same balanced first quarter offense that served them well Saturday against the Warriors. Up 38-16 after 12 minutes, they threw it in cruise control a little early, letting the Kings get to within 10 in the third before again putting things in fifth gear.

From there, the Lakers built up a big lead, maintained it, and as it was on Saturday the Lakers didn't have to play any starters for more than 29 minutes. With a busy schedule coming, this extra rest becomes a big deal.

Luka Dončić led the way with an easy 28 points, and paced the team with nine assists. LeBron James had 24, Deandre Ayton was a very efficient 6-6 from the floor, and Luke Kennard was again a catalyst off the bench.

Everyone understands that the Warriors and Kings are not good teams right now. That said, if you drew up a script for what you'd want these games to look like, it almost certainly would have resembled the actual game play very closely.

And if nothing else, the dark cloud that had been forming over the team has started to lift. With a game against New Orleans Tuesday (a bad Pels team that has played a little better of late) the Lakers have an excellent opportunity to keep the momentum going.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get an early lead, maintain it to beat Sacramento.

SEGMENT 2: Finding a formula?

SEGMENT 3: What feels sustainable here?

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Balanced Lakers Bounce Back, Blow Out Golden State 129-101

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sun, 1 Mar 2026 05:50:00 +0000

To say the Lakers needed a palate cleanser is a major understatement. Having lost three in a row, a fourth on Saturday against a shorthanded Golden State team could have led to disaster.

Instead, the Lakers got a reminder that they can, in fact, play quality basketball, taking control early of a Warriors team that couldn't hit a shot and ever giving it up. Final score, 129-101

It was a balanced effort for the Lakers. 22 points from LeBron James, 28 from Luka Dončić -- all three got extended rest in the fourth quarter -- supplemented by double-digit performances from Luke Kennard (16) and Jake LaRavia (15). The Lakers took care of the ball, were generally attentive defensively, and kept the energy up all evening. You could tell as well in their body language that they badly needed a game like this one.

Good too that they got to cruise, because they need to be ready and strong Sunday in Sacramento.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Deandre Ayton Doesn't "Get It"... but Is He a Bust for the Lakers?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Oh, Deandre Ayton.

As the Lakers season has tailed off after a hot start, so too has Ayton's play. He is both symptom and disease, becoming less involved offensively and less engaged overall, which makes him less involved, which makes him less engaged, and so on. But because Ayton can't give himself the ball, he's also a good measure for how little the ball moves these days with the offense. That said, Ayton (who doesn't exactly have much equity anywhere around the league) was the focus of unwanted attention following a feature from ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

He made a very poor comparison to himself and Rockets center Clint Capela that isn't aging well (and has only been alive for a few days), and other aspects of his colorful personality have emerged as well.

We recorded this episode before the Lakers lost Thursday in Phoenix -- Ayton was particularly bad -- but we opened to a lot of questions.

What curve is Ayton being graded on? Is he a bust for the Lakers? Has he met expectations for this season, based on his salary with the Lakers? What now? Because when Ayton plays well, the Lakers tend to win.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Luka Dončić Scores 41, but Lakers Lose to Shorthanded Suns. Is the Season On the Brink?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:50:00 +0000

The Lakers found an interesting way to change the subject after a terrible loss to the Magic on Tuesday.

Thursday, the Lakers went into Phoenix to face a Suns squad without both Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, and still found a way to lose, 113-110. As it was against Orlando, the Lakers had opportunities to pull ahead and absolutely could have won, but instead lost in the final seconds of the game, failing to connect on a shot that would have (on Tuesday) won the game or (on Thursday) sent it into OT.

Luka Dončić rebounded from a terrible game Tuesday to finish with 41/8/8, but neither Austin Reaves nor LeBron James provided enough offensive support, and broadly speaking the offense as a whole completely collapsed. No movement. No cutting. Not much of anything. The Lakers, despite having Luka, LeBron and AR were out-assisted by a Phoenix team missing a ton of talent.

This feels like a loss that could be the start of a very bad spiral. The Lakers are, as Reaves said after, very frustrated, and it shows. If they can't get things aligned quickly, there's a reasonable chance the whole thing crashes out.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Lakers Hire Former UVA Coach Tony Bennett as Draft Consultant: Sign of Dodgers Model?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 21:00:00 +0000

All reports have indicated that the Lakers, under new owner Mark Walter, will be following the Dodgers model that has worked so successfully up the road at Chavez Ravine.

Walter has already transferred old friend Lon Rosen from the Dodgers' front office to El Segundo, where he'll replace long time Jeanie Buss confidant Tim Harris in a senior business position. But for fans, what they want to see more than anything are changes on the basketball side of things. A taste of that came on Wednesday, when the Lakers announced they had hired former UVA head coach Tony Bennett to serve as a Draft Consultant.

Bennett has never served in a role like this in the NBA, but comes to the org with tremendous respect and a solid pedigree, having turned out not just some high end players from his Cavaliers program, but a ton of role guys at the NBA level. That's critical, because most players are, in fact, drafted to be role players, and identifying who is most capable of playing a role is critical to success.

So this is an example of the Dodgers model -- going out and finding as many good brains as possible, then paying them to provide expertise -- that fans will love. Those looking for something a little more fast-paced, however (i.e. dumping Rob Pelinka) are likely to be disappointed, because that doesn't really follow the Dodgers model, either.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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As the Lakers Slump, Luka Dončić Draws More Scrutiny and Criticism

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

The honeymoon isn't exactly over -- Lakers fans are still overwhelmingly happy to have him -- but the part of the Luka Dončić Era where he's fairly immune to criticism seems to be ending.

After arguably his worst game (as a scorer at least) against the Magic on Tuesday, one in which he rather inexplicably passed up an opportunity to take a game winning shot off an ATO drawn up for him, Luka was at the center of The Discourse in NBA circles on Wednesday. Both fans and media had plenty of criticism. But how much of it is deserved?

Certainly the one point everyone agrees on: Luka complains too much to officials, and the Lakers simply don't have the margin of error to support it. They play shorthanded on too many defensive possessions because he's pulled himself out of a play.

But what about the other stuff? Shot selection? His defense? Does he function as a truly multifaceted, complete player? Is that why it can be hard to put a running mate next to him?

At what point do legitimate criticisms become a matter of losing the forest for the trees?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The criticism is coming for Luka as the Lakers slump.

SEGMENT 2: The paradox of greatness in the NBA.

SEGMENT 3: Floor and ceiling for LA's star.

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As Lakers Face CRITICAL OFFSEASON, Rob Pelinka Will Remain IN CHARGE of Basketball Ops

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 17:40:00 +0000

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BRUTAL: Luka Dončić Struggles, Lakers Blow Lead, Lose to Magic 110-109

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 07:40:00 +0000

The Lakers had this one, and then they didn't. Final score, 110-109 loss to Orlando at home, finishing the homestand at 4-4.

This one stung. Despite a scoreless first half from Austin Reaves (who finished with 17 points) and an 8-24 night from Luka Dončić, the Lakers had every opportunity to win on Tuesday. Their execution down the stretch, which had been consistently good all year, was not. And as a result, they lose for the first time after leading through three quarters.

The dark clouds that have started forming around the Lakers got a little darker.

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Lakers Confront Critical Moment as JJ Redick, Big Three Struggle With Team Identity

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 22:00:00 +0000

The Lakers have a ton of work to do before they can realistically expect to make a run in the Western Conference playoffs.

They don't have a lot of time to figure stuff out, but if they want to reach whatever ceiling exists for them, they need to both win games and improve in the process. That can start tonight vs. Orlando at the Crypt, a stretch of seven games against sub-.500 or banged up teams (or both). If the Lakers want to keep the shot they have to finish in the top four, and certainly to stay out of the play-in game, the next two weeks are filled with must wins. Orlando, Phoenix, Golden State, Sacramento, New Orleans, Denver, Indiana.

This stretch needs to be 5-2 as a baseline, 6-1 ideally.

Can they start developing the right chemistry to make it happen?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Asking Hard Questions About Austin Reaves: Is he the Right Fit With Luka?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Austin Reaves struggled big against the Celtics on Sunday.

He has struggled relatively frequently against the NBA's best defenses this season, and had a rough go against the Minnesota Timberwolves in last year's playoffs. With huge decisions coming, it has a lot of people, whether fans or those who follow the league for a living, asking ahrd questions about his long term future in LA, especially as a running mate for Luka Dončić.

Do they fit well enough together to make a viable 1-2?

Should the Lakers pursue a more obvious fit with Luka? A true two-way wing that bolster's Luka's defensive shortcomings?

Is that player available, even in a trade?

Should the Lakers try to find rotation depth, then another All-Star elsewhere?

Or should they pony up, because there isn't going to be a better option out there?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Austin Reaves has had problems against big physical defenses.

SEGMENT 2: What are the questions the Lakers need to ask?

SEGMENT 3: If not Austin, who?

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Which Lakers Great Should be Next to get a Statue? (Worthy? LeBron? Luka?)

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:05:00 +0000

Sunday's blowout loss to the hated Celtics was desperately starved for moments Lakers fans could embrace, but unveiling Pat Riley's statue certainly qualified as a rousing success, even acknowledging the incredibly low bar to clear. The franchise icon instantly recalls memories of championships, innovative basketball, boundless fun, and an indelible culture. The immortalization of Riles was a no-brainer and arguably overdue, but happily, Riley and his family could enjoy this honor with Lakers Nation.

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Lakers EMBARRASSED and BULLIED, Offense Disappears In 111-89 Loss to Boston

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

For a quarter, it was competitive, but over the course of their 111-89 loss to Boston at home on Sunday afternoon, the Lakers slowly lost cohesion and composure, discipline and spirit. They were eventually overwhelmed by a far more aggressive and confident Celtics team.

The Lakers gave up a big number to Jalen Brown, but were especially burned by a hyper-efficient Payton Pritchard, who lit them up for 30 points on only 14 field goal attempts. The Celtics also dominated the glass, including the offensive rebounding opportunities, and generally were the faster, more aggressive and stronger team, leaving the Lakers to spend a lot of time complaining to officials, especially as the game went on.

LeBron and Luka were... at bes, fine? Fine-adjacent? Austin Reaves, however, was not good, and meanwhile the Lakers got 16 points from Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia and Jarred Vanderbilt.

As JJ Redick said after the game, they were awful offensively.

Losing to the Celtics is something Lakers fans hate, anyway. Losing like this to the Celtics? Monday is going to be an angry one in Laker Nation.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: An ugly loss to Boston.

SEGMENT 2: Why do the Lakers struggle against physical defenses?

SEGMENT 3: So much work to be done.

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Luka Dončić Dominates (38/6/11), Lakers Beat Clippers 125-122... Celtics Next!

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 07:15:00 +0000

For the first time in all season, the Lakers had the full roster intact and ready to play. And it looked in Friday's game against the Clippers that the Lakers might run away with things, so good was their shotmaking in the first half of the game.

But ultimately, the Lakers needed to fight for this one, and it became a pretty satisfying 125-122 win.

Luka Dončić led the way for the Lakers with 38 points, which included eight three pointers, along with six rebounds and 11 assists. Austin Reaves? Also excellent, scoring 29 points on 9-15 shooting, grabbing two steals, and drawing a late charge on Bennedict Mathurin that JJ Redick called "the play of the game."

There were other solid performances (Redick noted Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart did a lot of great stuff) and overall the energy was good. Defense? Still needs some work, but with another tough game coming Sunday against Boston, a win on Friday was a big deal.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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How Proposed NBA Anti-Tanking Changes Could Impact the Lakers

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:00:00 +0000

The NBA is reportedly planning to institute new rules for next season designed to combat tanking. It remains to be seen exactly what those changes will look like, but a few of the ideas being kicked around, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, include:

First-round draft picks can be protected only for top-four or top-14-plus selections
Lottery odds freeze at the trade deadline or a later date
No longer allowing a team to pick in the top four in consecutive years and/or after consecutive bottom-three finishes
Teams can't pick in the top four the year after making conference finals
Lottery odds allocated based on two-year records
Lottery extended to include all play-in teams
Flatten odds for all lottery teams

Some of these things are good ideas, some less so, all will have consequences that are anticipated, and others that aren't. But for Lakers fans, how should they look at efforts to combat tanking? They aren't typically in position to tank, whether because the team is too good too frequently, or they don't control their picks, having used them in trades and such.

So why does this matter? We explain.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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With Luka Dončić, Reaves, LeBron Healthy, Pressure On JJ Redick? Plus, Lon Rosen Hired!

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

JJ Redick was almost too scared to say it - Friday when the Lakers take the floor against the Clippers, they'll do it with a clean injury report. Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and LeBron James are all expected to play. Deandre Ayton's knee seems to have recovered. For the first time ALL SEASON, Redick can choose a starting lineup out of preference, not necessity.

How often this scenario repeats itself over the next few weeks will have a significant impact on where the season goes from here, and how long it lasts for the Lakers.

Is there enough time left for Redick to find the right combinations? For the Lakers to establish enough of a defensive identity to match what they hope will finally be something closer to the team's offensive potential? Can they continue finding strength in the success of unconventional choices, like the tendency to lean into zone defenses?

We'll find out. Because the Lakers don't have a ton of runway to work with, here.

Meanwhile, the reformation of the organization is moving quickly. Early in the week, it was reported that long time exec Tim Harris will be leaving the team. Thursday, the Lakers announced his replacement -- former Lakers exec, and up to now a Dodgers exec -- Lon Rosen.

Good move?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are finally healthy.

SEGMENT 2: What's next for JJ Redick? Can the Lakers make a push?

SEGMENT 3: Welcome back, Lon Rosen!!!

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An Optimistic Lakers Fan's Guide to the Second Half - Reasons to Believe!

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 22:30:00 +0000

Look, we live in a cynical world, where it's easy to focus on the downside of things. That's especially true when talking Lakers fandom, given the championship expectations that frame every season.

But while there is joy in complaining for some, a lot of sports is about finding reasons to believe, even when belief is tough to muster. But while it might be too much to say the Lakers should be considered legitimate title contenders, it's not crazy to believe there are legitimate reasons to be optimistic. A partial list:

The Big Three: The Lakers have won 33 games without their three best players sharing the floor for any meaningful amount of time. Having them (presumably) healthy down the stretch not only injects significant levels of talent into the rotation, but also moves supporting players to more appropriate roles and allows JJ Redick more combinations to use.

Deandre Ayton. He has been bad for the last month. But he hasn't been bad all year, and the return of Luka and Reaves to full health will help him. Additional floor spacing provided by Luke Kennard will help him. And the potential to have his role offensively re-established will help him, and the Lakers alike. All of this is possible.

The Kennard Effect. The Lakers need to make their defense better by making their offense better. Kennard legitimately changes the spacing of the team and the defenses they'll oppose. That he can put the ball on the floor a little will turn some knobs in how effective the team can be, and it's also worth noting that Kennard hasn't had a chance to play with Luka.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Report: Luka Dončić APPROVES of Lakers OFFSEASON PLAN! Franchise-Superstar SYNERGY?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Among the many things reported by ESPN's Dave McMenamin in his story about the Lakers as they emerge from the All Star break is this nugget about alignment between Luka Dončić and the front office on the plan to improve the roster.

"A source familiar with Doncic's thinking told ESPN that L.A.'s deadline approach with "adherence to discipline" and focus on the "long-term picture" was supported by the 26-year-old star. He has not pushed the team to add a superstar-level co-star for when James is no longer on the roster," McMenamin writes.

On the one hand, all of this is good. If Luka was already starting to get publicly antsy, that would be a terrible sign for where things stood between him and the Lakers. On the other hand, has Luka (or Team Dončić) expressed anything beyond what you'd expect? Not really.

So where do things really stand?

Finally, the Lakers are in a strange position of having been high-to-very-high in the Western Conference standings without anyone having a bunch of faith in the team's ability to do anything of substance in the playoffs. Are they being undersold?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky SEGMENT

1: The Lakers and Luka - on the same page?

SEGMENT 2: What does a low-key Luka really mean?

SEGMENT 3: Are the Lakers being undersold?

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Tim Harris to Leave Lakers at Season's End... Are Bigger Front Office Changes Still to Come?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 23:00:00 +0000

The Athletic's Dan Woike reports that Lakers president of business operations Tim Harris informed staff Tuesday that this will be his final season with the organization. Harris has been with the Forum and the Lakers for 35 years, so it's reasonable to view his departure as a normal thing someone does after being in one spot for that long.

On the other hand, it's also reasonable to wonder if his departure is related to the purchase of the Lakers by Mark Walter. Whether yes or no, it still represents a massive change inside the org that has had a very, very small inner circle.

So while Harris may very well have been more involved in what people might consider "basketball" decisions than the average prez of business ops, he's still not par tof the org fans point to when they clamor for changes. Fans, after all, generally think they business side operates fine, if they think about it at all.

So will changes come for the basketball side? Probably, but how fast? And in what form? And will they come fast enough to make a significant impact on a critical summer for the team?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Tim Harris to Leave Lakers at Season's End... Are Bigger Changes Still to Come?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 23:00:00 +0000

So will changes come for the basketball side? Probably, but how fast? And in what form? And will they come fast enough to make a significant impact on a critical summer for the team?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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The Lakers Will Build Around Luka Dončić This Summer... Could That Still Include LeBron?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

The mission is clear for the Lakers this summer: Build a team that fits Luka Dončić not just for next season, but ideally two or three seasons beyond that. It won't be an easy task, because while the Lakers will have plenty of potential cap space to play with, they'll also have a ton of roster spots that need filling and not a ton of appealing free agents to spend money on.

There are always trades, but while (at least around the Draft) they'll have some picks to offer, they won't have many players to include in trades.

It's a tricky siuation for Rob Pelinka to navigate. And oh by the way, there's the LeBron James question as well. Reporting from Dave McMenamin of ESPN on Tuesday indicated the Lakers would welcome him back next season. It was exactly the sort of anodyne, non-committal language you'd expect from a front office looking to avoid headlines. (They don't do LeBron any favors, either.)

But in an interview with CNBC, Jeanie Buss seemed to indicate (perhaps accidentally) that the Lakers aren't expecting him to return.

So would it even make sense? Is there a scenario in which it actually benefits both sides to have LeBron back next year?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers send mixed signals on LeBron.

SEGMENT 2: What do they actually think?

SEGMENT 3: Would it even make sense to have him back? Could it work?

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Will a Difficult Schedule Doom the Lakers Down the Stretch?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 01:40:00 +0000

In the Western Conference, every little item can make a difference in where teams will land on the playoff seeding ladder.

That includes strength of schedule. Per Tankathon, the Lakers have the eighth toughest remaining among NBA squads. The toughies include 2 vs. OKC (both in APR), Denver twice, Houston twice, Phoenix twice, Minnesota, Clips, Knicks, Cleveland, Detroit and Boston (where Tatum will inevitably return). Easy ones include Kings, Pels, Pacers (twice), Bulls, Nets, Wiz, Mavs, Jazz. (And the Warriors, if you're so inclined. Maybe they're in between?)

No cakewalk, but fortunately for LA, the top 3 include Denver (55%), Houston (54%), and Minnesota (52%). The Lakers are also, from #8, MUCH closer to #16 than #1. After the top 4-5 teams, it levels off pretty notably.

And timing will make a difference. The Lakers play the Nuggets twice in March. Denver might, but might not, have Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon back in the lineup at that point. That makes a huge difference.

So these little things could be the difference in a tight conference between a 3 and a 7.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Is 28 Games Enough for Luka, Reaves and LeBron to Build Real Continuity?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

The Big Three for the Lakers are undoubtedly a strong group. Luka is playing at an MVP level, Austin Reaves was a lock for an All-Star nod before he got hurt, and LeBron James made the team as a reserve.

Unfortunately, they've played a grand total of 152 minutes together in the 2025-26 season. Which is two minutes more than Drew Timme, two-way player who hasn't been on the team for the entire season, has played for the Lakers. When games start again on Friday, the hope is that finally the Big Three can start gaining meaningful chemistry on the floor. The Lakers coaching staff can begin making meaningful gains in understanding the best ways to deploy them, and with whom.

Because it's not just about the Lakers reaching their ceiling, but raising their floor. They really, really need to raise their floor, if they want to make a run in the West.

Meanwhile, LeBron James gave few clues about his future during All-Star weekend. Does he want a farewell tour? Does he not? And more importantly, does the possibility of a farewell tour make it less likely for the Lakers to bring him back?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers have a continuity problem.

SEGMENT 2: Do the Lakers have enough time to make the Big Three as potent as possible?

SEGMENT 3: Does LeBron want a farewell tour? Would the Lakers want to host it?

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Luka Dončić Plays in (Revamped!) All-Star Game... Still Not Sure to Play Friday

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

The good news is that Luka Dončić felt good enough to play in Sunday's All-Star Game, if only for a moment. Five minutes, scoring two points. Didn't seem any worse for wear, which isn't surprising because while the level of activity in this All-Star format was a little better than it had been in the last few, it was not a max-intensity workout.

After, Luka said he felt fine... but didn't say he'd be ready to play when the Lakers take the floor again on Friday.

It seems reasonable to to expect he'll play... but he didn't say yes, I'll be on the floor. If he's not, will he have an optics problem?

Meanwhile, the League (again) messed with its All-Star format, and the results were pretty good in the US vs. the World setup. But not necessarily for the reasons they likely thought. We'll see if the NBA actually sticks with it.

And finally, Adam Silver spoke at length over the weekend about tanking, and finally at least discussed the one thing that could truly end the practice: eliminating the draft.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Luka plays... not ready to say he'll be available Friday when games resume.

SEGMENT 2: Did the new format work?

SEGMENT 3: The NBA plans to address tanking... somewhow?

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BONUS SHOW: Hayes Rising While Ayton Struggles: Should Lakers Change Their Starting Center?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:00:00 +0000

If you look at their splits over the last six weeks, on a per minute basis there's no question that backup center Jaxson Hayes is playing better than starter Deandre Ayton. So should the Lakers made a change in the starting lineup?

It's a trickier question than it might seem. First, Ayton has been banged up, with a bum knee keeping him ou tof the lineup for the last three games. It's possible the knee has been an issue for longer, which explains the downturn. Will the All Star break fix that? Also, Hayes does have the benefit of playing against (primarily) reserves. Would he perform as well against starters?

Do the Lakers even need to make the change, or could JJ Redick get more from the position just by tweaking minutes?

There's more than one way to do this sort of thing...

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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LeBron Triple Double (28/10/12) Leads Lakers to Win, 33-21 Heading to All-Star Break

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 07:15:00 +0000

LeBron James turned back the clock on Thursday, getting his first triple double of the season (28 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists) as the Lakers beat the Mavericks at the Crypt, 124-104. It was one of those games that reminded you of everything the Lakers are capable of, good and bad. At times, they were great defensively, clamping down on Dallas and holding them to 41 points in the second half. In the first half, however, they allowed 63. At times the offense was excellent, at others the droughts were noticeable.

The Lakers built big leads (good) and lost them (bad). Ultimately, though, they used a strong third quarter to build a lead they wouldn't let get whittled down.

Game balls to LeBron, Rui Hachimura (21 points), Jaxson Hayes (16/7/4/3/1) and Luke Kennard (9/7/3) among others.

On the injury front, the Lakers were without Luka Dončić, who JJ Redick says ought to be fine coming out of the break. Same for Deandre Ayton, who didn't play Thursday but got a knee scan that came back clean.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: LeBron turns back the clock, leads Lakers to win.

SEGMENT 2: Lots of good performances.

SEGMENT 3: 33-21... not bad, but concerns remain.

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Jeremy Sochan to Sign with Knicks. Did Rob Pelinka Make a Mistake Signing Kobe Bufkin So Fast?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 22:00:00 +0000

The buyout market generally doesn't yield impactful players. Moreover, it can be tricky to find the right guy to fill the right role -- often buyout players need to rehab their value around the league, and will choose a destination with that in mind. Cam Thomas (one high profile FA), for example, was always unlikely to sign with the Lakers because they couldn't offer him the opportunity he needed. Milwaukee could.

So over the weekend when the Lakers added Kobe Bufkin as the 15th guy, you could see it both ways - the Lakers locking up a guy that was ripping up the G-League because he was likely getting poached by another org. Likely to make an impact this year? No, but maybe could help down the road. Some countered that Pelinka should have waited longer, because a better opportunity might surface, and that's worth losing Bufkin.

Well, the better option might have come along, with San Antonio releasing forward Jeremy Sochan. Like Bufkin, he's young, and will be a bit of a reclamation project. Unlike Bufkin, Sochan has had some success at the NBA level as a rebounder and defender until falling out of the rotation this year. He will reportedly sign with the Knicks, who won his services over the interest of another eight or nine teams. The Lakers could have been one of those. Would they have had a shot to sign Sochan? Would the opportunity have been worth the cost of losing Bufkin?

Will there be other players the Lakers would want more, before the end of the buyout period? Did Pelinka jump the gun? Was this bad process?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Luka Dončić (Hamstring) Out Vs. Dallas... Should He Skip the All-Star Game?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Luka Dončić hoped he'd be available for Thursday's game against the Mavericks, because torturing the Mavericks is now and forever a priority for him. Alas, it is not to be. The Lakers announced Wednesday that Luka won't be in uniform.

He does, though, hope to participate in the All-Star Game this weekend, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. So is that a good idea? Would Luka be better off sitting? On the one hand... it's the All-Star Game. You could make a very solid argument that whatever rehab Luka is doing will be more strenuous than the game itself. On the other hand, if there's even a 2% chance of making this worse or tweaking it or whatever because he's not... quite... healed?

Hoo-boy, that ain't worth it. The World (meaning the World All-Star team) will get by without him. Even Luka's fans, for whom he wants to play in this game to no small degree, would rather he be healthy.

Meanwhile, tanking has taken on a new feel this year!

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: No Luka vs. Dallas. No Flagg, either.

SEGMENT 2: The Lakers HAVE to win this game.

SEGMENT 3: Why tanking impacts even non-tanking teams.

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LeBron James: All-NBA Streak Will End. Luka Dončić is in Danger, Too?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 23:00:00 +0000

The most interesting thing that came of Tuesday's blowout loss to the Spurs, one where the entire Lakers (preferred) starting lineup was in street clothes, is that LeBron James officially became ineligible for postseason awards. He won't reach the required 65 games, thanks to early season time missed because of sciatica, and then the maintenance required to get a 41-year old through an NBA season.

So that incredible streak of All-NBA teams ends at 21 years. Fair to say that one isn't likely to be broken anytime soon.

Meanwhile, Luka Dončić is also getting close to that threshold, now having missed 11 games with Thursday's game against the Mavs in question. What happens if he's close to that baseline and might need a night off? Would the Lakers ask him to sit? Would he pull himself out of contention for MVP and 1st Team All-NBA?

These are the sorts of questions getting more common around the league, and why ti seems very likely the NBA will make changes in the eligibility for these awards. The TV rules designed to get guys playing in the most important games? Those seem to work ok. But this threshold is artificial and needs to go.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Wildly Shorthanded Lakers Lose to San Antonio. Meanwhile, Did LeBron Call Out His Teammates?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 07:25:00 +0000

The Lakers were missing basically everyone. With Luka Dončić already out nursing that hamstring, the Lakers also sat LeBron James and Austin Reaves, both still avoiding back-to-backs (for different reasons). Marcus Smart? Street clothes. Deandre Ayton was downgraded to out shortly before the game.

So that left... not much as the Lakers welcomed San Antonio to the Crypt. And predictably, the Lakers got hammered. Final score, 136-108 in a game that was actually not as close as the score might indicate.

The major form of entertainment was watching Victor Wembanyama, who absolutely throttled the Lakers, scoring 25 in the first quarter, and 40 overall. It would have been a lot more had the Spurs not pulled the plug early.

So the big question now becomes who will be available for a need-to-have game Thursday against the Mavericks. Having dropped two in a row, the Lakers can't afford to drop games against struggling squads like the Mavs.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Down five starters, the Lakers get beat up.

SEGMENT 2: Not many highlights. Jaxson getting sued?

SEGMENT 3: Did Bron put the Lakers on blast?

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BONUS SEGMENT: Lakers Prepare to Build with Mark Walter. What's Rob Pelinka's Future?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 22:00:00 +0000

The Lakers have long been a lean, mom and pop organization, despite the incredible weath represented by the franchise, and its ability to produce tremendous revenue.

That's why Lakers fans were so excited when Dodgers owner Mark Walter bought the team. The feeling was that finally the Lakers would have the type of infrastructure their brand and wealth would seem to support. And over the weekend, head of basketball ops Rob Pelinka talked about changes that are coming reasonably soon -- making a point to note that he and Jeanie Buss will be leading that process. The Lakers will be using the Dodgers model to build up areas where they'd been lean to this point.

"When Mark bought the team, Jeanie and I did a really deep dive with him on sort of the areas he wants to grow and move into and get aggressive," Pelinka told the assembled media. "Looking at the Dodgers and how they built it out has been a great sort of example and North Star. And so we're still going through that process of how we'll look in the offseason and what additions we'll make. But there will be some positive changes, and we will build things out."

So what will this look like, and will Rob really be in charge?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Without Luka Dončić, the Lakers Fight Hard but Lose to Oklahoma City, 119-110

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 07:25:00 +0000

There's no shame necessarily in losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder, even when they're missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Lakers, after all, were without Luka Dončić.

Still, Monday's 119-110 loss at Crypto.com Arena was frustrating. The Lakers looked at different points like this game was going to get away from them. They kept turning the ball over, Oklahoma City was hitting 3's at a high rate. Points were hard to come by for LA, especially from the perimeter. But after the break, the Lakers came out and played better ball. LeBron James, who was part of the turnover problem in the first two quarters, not only cleaned things up, but also found ways to get the ball in far more advantageous spots. He punished OKC with some old school, old man basketball.

Austin Reaves made some buckets, Jake LaRavia was huge in the third as well, turning hard work inside into points. In the fourth however, the lid went back on the basket. Only 19 points as a team, including some big moments where they simply needed to have a bucket and couldn't get one.

Side note to this one, the officiating was very frustrating. JJ Redick used and won both of his challenges, the second coming on a call so obvoiusly wrong it was absurd the Lakers were even put in a position to have to challenge it. OKC is a very, very physical team, and while the Lakers tried to meet them where they live, it was clear they thought they should be getting calls that didn't come. Hard to argue, on a lot of them.

Tuesday night the Lakers will be in San Antonio. No word yet on who will be available, whether Luka, LeBron or Reaves.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers fight but lose to OKC.

SEGMENT 2: Rare late game execution where they aren't all that good.

SEGMENT 3: Who plays heading into the break?

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Luka Dončić Out Monday... and How Much Longer? Plus, the Lakers Fill Their Last Roster Spot With Kobe Bufkin

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 9 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

The Lakers will be without Luka Dončić on Monday against the Thunder. But the good news is, at least according ot JJ Redick, the Lakers may not be without him for that long. Luka appears to have dodged the worst outcomes, and is considered day-to-day.

No question, the Lakers are going to be cautious with him, so it's certainly possible he'll sit out the final three games before the All-Star break. But between the week-plus from the injury to the break, then another week-plus during the break, there's currently no reason to believe Luka won't be available once games start up again.

That, it goes without saying, is huge.

Moreover, the Lakers will have Deandre Ayton in the lineup, after he missed Saturday's game against the Warriors. And the Lakers have Luke Kennard in the fold, who was excellent Saturday in his debut, and gives the Lakers a badly needed dimension of excellent shooting and secondary playmaking, which becomes even more valuable as the Lakers hunt for buckets without Luka. Maxi Kleber, who has been in and out of the lineup all year, is coming off of his two best games of the season, doing all sorts of little things that help teams win (and make coaches happy). Add to that the Lakers having a full roster, having signed Kobe Bufkin to that 15th and final roster spot.

That last part- the Bufkin signing - was a little controversial among Lakers fans, many of whom hoped the Lakers would find more help in the buyout market, and bring in a more established name.

That's not totally off the board, but it's off the board for a while at least.

So all in all, are the Lakers better set to get by without Dončić for (potentially) three more games?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: No Luka -- how long will he be out?

SEGMENT 2: Kennard's debut and what he brings.

SEGMENT 3: Kobe Bufkin?

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Without Luka Dončić & Deandre Ayton, Lakers Beat Golden State 105-99

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sun, 8 Feb 2026 05:10:30 +0000

The Lakers knew they'd be without Luka Dončić ahead of Saturday's 105-99 win over Golden State at the Crypt, thanks to a groin injury suffered the other night against Philadelphia. They learned shortly before it started that Deandre Ayton would join him in street clothes, thanks to knee soreness. It's hard to say the Lakers were sharp or looked particularly excellent on Saturday, but they won, and as it was against Philadelphia, they got contributions from basically everyone who played.

LeBron James wasn't great, turning the ball over seven times against 10 assists, and making only six of 17 shots. But six Lakers finished in double figures, and guys like Maxi Kleber who didn't reach 10 points made a lot of important plays. New guy Luke Kennard was a very positive presence, making four of his seven shots, including 2-4 from downtown. But as James pointed out in his ESPN on-court interview after the game, it was the other stuff that went beyond shooting that made an impression.

It's pretty clear Kennard will be a tool JJ Redick will enjoy deploying as the season goes on.

The Lakers get a big win at home, keeping up with the Joneses in the Western Conference, where the gap between the third seed and the seventh seed is only a couple of games.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Austin Reaves Looks Strong In His Return. Meanwhile, are the Lakers Back to Waiting for Giannis?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sat, 7 Feb 2026 05:22:00 +0000

The game the Lakers played Tuesday against the Nets in Brooklyn went exactly as it should have. LA rolled a genuinely ghastly Nets squad, went up by nearly 40 and threw it in cruise control en route to a 125-109 victory that wasn't nearly as close as the final score might indicate.

Luka Dončić played well. LeBron James played well. Jake LaRavia finally got a few easy buckets to help lift his confidence. Jaxson Hayes was great.

This game mattered because we saw the return of Austin Reaves, after 19 games on the sidelines. And his impact was clear, despite some rust -- particularly as it relates to the team's offensive attack, getting into the paint and finding ways to reach the free throw line. The Lakers are a bad shooting team. They aren't deep. They don't have a great defense. They need to control the game as much as possible through their offense, which is easier to do if they can draw a lot of fouls.

Having Reaves back in the lineup will make the defense better, because it allows the offense to play into its strengths, which hopefully results in more time avoiding long rebounds and bad transition opportunities for Lakers opponents.

Meanwhile, the trade deadline week got going big on Tuesday, with three major deals, two of which potentially impact the Lakers. First, Jaren Jackson Jr. goes to Utah, ostensibly to pair next year with Walker Kessler, which in theory at least takes Utah's young center off the market. James Harden to Cleveland is worth watching for LA, because it's part of a potentially larger set of moves the Cavs could make to save money, which reportedly includes trading center Jarrett Allen, who will enter the first year of a contract extension next fall.

And there are conflicting reports about whether the Bucks will move Giannis at all... or if he's about to get traded to Minnesota. Reports indicate that the Lakers might just wait until there is clarity. Is this smart?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get Reaves back.

SEGMENT 2: Who does Redick start with the Big Three and Ayton?

SEGMENT 3: Giannis! Allen! Bears, oh my!

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Luka Dončić Injured, Austin Reaves Scores 35 as Lakers Beat Philadelphia, 119-115

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 6 Feb 2026 07:30:00 +0000

There are certain wins over the course of an 82-game season that seem to defy any explanation. The Lakers had one of those on Thursday, overcoming an incredibly sloppy first half and a second quarter injury to Luka Dončić to beat Philadelphia 119-115. This one was truly a team contribution. It starts with Austin Reaves, who had 35 points in only 25 minutes, using strong change of pace to get himself into the paint in combination with some absurd shot-making from the perimeter.

The bench was incredibly valuable. Obviously having Reaves as a bench player on Thursday gooses the numbers, but Maxi Kleber, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt particularly provided the energy and countless little things, whether keeping plays alive with hustle, setting good screens, sealing players inside to open up a driving lane, etc.

You had Jake LaRavia doing Jake LaRavia stuff, and Marcus Smart goading opponents into fouls and then hitting two critical fourth quarter triples.

Luka didn't return, and there wasn't a big update immediately following the game, but the Lakers will obviously be incredibly careful with Donćić as the All-Star Game approaches.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Luka injured, Lakers win.

SEGMENT 2: Austin Reaves dominates play.

SEGMENT 3: Contributions from everyone who played real minutes.

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Bonus: Are the Lakers Now Preparing to Pursue Giannis Antetokounmpo as Summer's Plan A?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 6 Feb 2026 02:25:00 +0000

The Lakers made a small-but-positive move ahead of Thursday afternoon's NBA Trade Deadline, acquiring sharpshooting guard Luke Kennard from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Gabe Vincent and a second round pick.

It's a move that will help them on the margins this year, which is about as good as anyone could have expected since the team made it pretty clear it was prioritizing cap space and flexibility this offseason, when the Lakers believe it'll be easier to build around Luka Dončić. And, of course, one of the big pieces that might now be available? Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks star went untraded at the deadline, as Milwaukee seems determined to exhaust every possible avenue towards putting a contending team around him, and Giannis himself continues to fence sit.

Of course, now every team in the league is preparing to put its best foot forward on a potential summer offer, obviously including the Lakers who (if you believe reports) would be a major contender to make a deal.

So how should the Lakers approach this? Landmines abound!

The first installment of what surely will be a constant topic of conversation through the rest of this season and into the offseason.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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BONUS: Lakers Make Move, Acquire 3-Point Specialist Luke Kennard

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 5 Feb 2026 17:50:00 +0000

Thursday morning brought good news for Lakers fans who wanted to see the team make a move, even around the margins. The team has acquired sharpshooter Luke Kennard from Atlanta in exchange for Gabe Vincent and their remaining tradable second round pick.

This is a good, low cost move for LA.

While he has shortcomings as a defender -- like, many shortcomings -- Kennard is a spectacularly good shooter. He's currently leading the league in percentage (49.7%), has five straight seasons over 43%, and is a career 44.2% shooter from deep. He is the real deal in this space. He'll rebound when possible, and is a solid passer who understands how to keep an offense rolling. So why is he available for a second round pick? Again, defense, which limits his big-minute playability. (Plus, Atlanta has acquired Corey Kispert in the Trae Young deal, who is a younger version of Kennard, and Wednesday picked up Buddy Hield, too.) Kennard is an expiring contract, so the Lakers don't owe him anything beyond this season.

In the process, they also get a little bit more wiggle room below the apron, which could help during the buyout period. Ultimately, Kennard won't fix all of their problems - no one player can - but he shores up a major weakness that should have knock on effects around the roster.

All in all, a good deal.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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The Lakers Look Unlikely to Make a Trade, and Jaxson Hayes Gets Dumbest Suspension Ever

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 5 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

The NBA Trade Deadline is Thursday, and it's looking more and more like the Lakers won't be willing and/or able to make a move.

It's looking like the two major forces influencing the team's approach — first a lack of appealing assets to offer another team, and a reported willingness and/or preference for keeping flexibility and opening cap space this summer — are winning out. Both of these strategies are related, obviously.

So where does this leave the Lakers, even as rumors continue to swirl?

Likely, holding their assets until the summer, and hoping they can be major players to add talent through free agency and trades. The good news? As some teams (Utah, Memphis, the Clippers) make big deals, they're taking themselves out of the cap space derby. The bad? The list of free agents you'd want to outright sign is very short, and the Lakers potentially could have a long list of roster spots that need filling. And while they could trade for players to fill those spots (absorbing salary into their cap space)... they still won't have a lot of assets to work with.

So the summer giveth, but not necessarily with a generous spirit.

Meanwhile, Jaxson Hayes received a one game suspension for shoving the mascot of the Washington Wizards during the game last week. Yes, this is real. He won't play against Philadelphia Thursday.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are still silent on the market.

SEGMENT 2: Are they better off waiting? Really?

SEGMENT 3: What were you thinking, Jaxson Hayes?

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BONUS MINI-EPISODE: Jaxson Hayes Suspended for Shoving Wizards Mascot! (Seriously.)

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 4 Feb 2026 23:55:00 +0000

Amidst the trade deadline madness, the league made a (very strange) announcement that Lakers backup center Jaxson Hayes had been suspended for one game (Thursday vs. the Sixers) for shoving the Washington Wizards' mascot G-Wiz during the pregame warmups of Friday's win in D.C.

Seriously. Jaxson Hayes got suspended for an altercation with a mascot. This happened.

A quick reaction to the news, and how it could affect the Lakers against a suddenly much-better Sixers squad.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get Reaves back.
SEGMENT 2: Who does Redick start with the Big Three and Ayton?
SEGMENT 3: Giannis! Allen! Beard, oh my!

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Austin Reaves Returns in Lakers Win! Plus, Harden, Garland, JJ Traded, Giannis Next?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 4 Feb 2026 06:55:00 +0000

Luka Dončić played well. LeBron James played well. Jake LaRavia finally got a few easy buckets to help lift his confidence. Jaxson Hayes was great.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get Reaves back.
SEGMENT 2: Who does Redick start with the Big Three and Ayton?
SEGMENT 3: Giannis! Allen! Beard, oh my!

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Lakers Trade Deadline Preview: Will Rob Pelinka Act Now or Try to Go Big This Summer?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 3 Feb 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Thursday's NBA trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Lakers are in a tough spot as they look to build around Luka Dončić.

The pressure for them to act is significant, but their assets are limited. The League might be active... but teams might collectively wait for the Giannis Sweepstakes to end before making their next moves. There aren't that many appealing players out there, anyway, and the best ones probably can't be had by the Lakers, anyway.

So maybe it's better to wait until this summer, right?

Well, that has its own set of problems for Rob Pelinka. First, while the Lakers might have a pretty good amount of cap space, the bigger that number rises, the more players they'll likely need to replace as they use it. They have a lot of expiring contracts. LeBron James might go. All of that opens up room, but that's a lot of players to get, and money goes fast. They could also swing trades and bring people into their cap space that way, but in that will face stiff competition from about 10 teams around the NBA that could have a good amount of space to work with themselves, many of whom are equipped with more stuff to put on the table.

So what should Pelinka do?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The deadline is coming fast!

SEGMENT 2: Why the summer is tricky, too.

SEGMENT 3: What the Lakers need is coherence, not flash.

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Luka Drops 30, LeBron 22 but Lakers Lose in New York... James Named to All-Star Team

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 2 Feb 2026 06:55:00 +0000

For a half, at least Sunday's game in New York had the chance to be a candidate for "best win of the season."

It was a ragged, disjointed game from both sides, but one the Lakers were winning at the break. In the third, however, the Knicks started straightening things out, but the Lakers couldn't get untracked offensively, and as a result couldn't keep up. 112-100 the final, in what could have been LeBron James's final game in Madison Square Garden. Certainly he was questioned after the game as if that was a possibility. And it appears that the league might be worried, too, because James was named as a Western Conference reserve, despite a long absence before playing, then a slow start once he did.

But back to the game...

New York cranked things up from 3-point range, shooting 43 percent for the game. The Lakers were much worse at 29 percent, but peering under the hood, the results were even more problematic. Luka and LeBron were 7-20 (not great, but tolerable) but Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt were a combined 3-18. Just no secondary floor spacing all night.

Oof.

Ultimately, that discrepancy was at the core of the loss. The Lakers needed offense, and couldn't find it.

And finally... still no Austin Reaves. What gives?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Offense fades as Lakers lose.

SEGMENT 2: LeBron's All Star nod deserved?

SEGMENT 3: No Reaves, still.

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Luka Dončić Notches Historic first half Triple-Double, Lakers Destroy Wizards

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sat, 31 Jan 2026 04:35:00 +0000

The Lakers needed a bounceback game Friday in Washington after laying an egg in Cleveland on Wednesday, and Luka Dončić made sure they got it. Luka registered his second career FIRST HALF triple-double en route to 37/11/13, as the Lakers cruised past the Wiz 142-111. Needless to say, he was dominant from the jump, scoring with efficiency and moving the ball well. The Lakers as a group were making sure a lot of hands got touches possession to possession, built up a big lead after one, a huge lead after two, and were never threatened from there.

Luka was obviously the story, but he wasn't the only one. Deandre Ayton, who badly needed a great game, got one. 12-14 from the floor, 28 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. Engaged and active from the start, aided by a Lakers group that got him involved early.

LeBron had 20, including some highlight dunks for the Washington crowd.

All in all, a great night. The only downer was Austin Reaves, who had been upgraded to questionable heading into the game, but was downgraded before it started. No setbacks, said JJ Redick, just caution. He's still on track to play before the end of the trip.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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How a Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Impacts the Lakers... Even if He's Not Coming to LA

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

First things first: Giannis Antetokounmpo is NOT going to be traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, even after he has officially been put on the block, and the Bucks are open for business.

But that doesn't mean the Lakers aren't impacted by a potential Giannis deal. There are three major points where this (potential) trade can have an effect on how the deadline plays out in El Segundo...

First, the market is much more likely to be active with Giannis available. There are a lot of teams that see themselves as potential players in the Giannis Sweepstakes, and they don't want to use up anything that could be part of a trade that big in something smaller. That can tamp down the trade market a ton.
Second, the Lakers may not get Giannis, but that doesn't mean they can't be part of a trade that involves him. One scenario, for example: The Heat might be willing to move off Andrew Wiggins if they could get a first rounder, and in this scenario the Lakers could potentially keep Rui Hachimura. There could be a lot of moving parts, and the Lakers could be one of them.
Third, and most importantly, if Giannis is traded, the Lakers can officially stop being tempted by the possibility of acquiring him themselves. That means they can get to the business of building for Luka, without preserving assets in service of the possibility Giannis could be had.

So what else is going on? Well, there's Dalton Knecht, who may or may not have asked for a trade. Not that it really matters, because the Lakers have already been looking to move him. But is he a player anyone wants, and would actually give something of value to get? Between him and whiffing on Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Lakers have done themselves real damage, both on the floor and in the trade market.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Health updates! Plus, Giannis updates!

SEGMENT 2: Why a Giannis deal impacts the purple and gold.

SEGMENT 3: Does anyone want Dalton?

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Lakers Lose Big in Cleveland, Luka Dončić Twists Ankle, LeBron Gets Reflective

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 06:30:00 +0000

This one got away from the Lakers in a hurry. After a decent first quarter against the Cavs in Cleveland, the Lakers lost control of the game near the end of the first half, and were completely blown out in the third quarter.

LeBron James, who got a little teary watching a tribute video played for him before the game, finished with more turnovers (six) than assists (five). Luka Dončić (29 points, 12-20 shooting) did his level best to keep the Lakers in it, but turned his ankle falling off the court (there's a stepdown in Cleveland between the end of the court and the first row of seats) and was clearly impacted by the pain for the rest of the game. Fortunately, he was able to sit early, given how big the Lakers were down.

After Luka, nobody scored more than 11 points.

Oof.

And it wouldn't have mattered anyway, because any hold the Lakers had on the game defensively disappeared in a hurry. Particularly in the third, the Lakers couldn't keep Cleveland off the three point line, or away from the rim. Bad combo.

Probably the biggest story was a very nostalgic, reflective LeBron speaking with the media after the game. You can tell he knows time is short... he just hasn't figured out HOW short.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get thumped in Cleveland.

SEGMENT 2: Luka banged up, Austin still out.

SEGMENT 3: LeBron gets reflective.

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What if Small Ball Is (Still) the Best Lineup for the Lakers?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

The Lakers leaned hard into small ball lineups last year, and with some success... until the playoffs rolled around and things got ugly.

This year, circumstances have made it hard to do much of anything consistently, but with Austin Reaves coming back soon, and Rui Hachimura rounding into form, could they be back in a similar situation? Per Trevor Lane on X, "Small sample size warning, BUT...Lakers are +28.8 per 100 in 255 poss with Rui Hachimura on the court without a center (Ayton/Hayes/Maxi). An ultra-switchy foundation featuring some combo of LeBron/Rui/Vando (call whoever you want the 5) with Luka/Smart/LaRavia has noticeably ramped up their defensive pressure and floor spacing."

There are a lot of reasons to think the Lakers could thrive, especially in short spurts, with lineups like these. Especially when Austin gets back. But should Lakers fans break out in hives thinking about it, given how everything ended last year?

Well, context matters. And this year's team is, at least right now, better suited to play like this. First, they can go big if they want. Deandre Ayton is wearing on fans, for sure, but he's still a competent NBA center. Jaxson Hayes is significantly better now than he was last year. Even Drew Timme has shown the ability to be useful. Meanwhile, JJ Redick hasn't shied away from using size where he can. Plus, Vanderbilt is playing better, and has more of Redick's trust. Jake LaRavia is establishing himself as a disruptor/energy type. Smart bings some defensive chops the Lakers lacked in the backcourt last year, especially with Dorian Finney-Smith hobbled.

So it can work, but the key is having a roster where it's not the only choice Redick thinks he has.

Finally, trade talk. Things have been pretty quiet in the rumor mill, but there are still scattered reports about the Lakers. So what exactly are they doing?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Small ball is back, baby!

SEGMENT 2: Why this year is different, regarding small ball.

SEGMENT 3: Rumor time. What do the leaks mean about LA's approach?

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Luka Dončić Dominates Chicago, Lakers Win 129-118 as Strong Trip Continues

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +0000

It's nice to have one of those guys.

By that, we're talking about a truly elite player, one who can do just stupid good stuff like drop 46 points on a hyper-efficient 15-25 shooting, while adding 11 assists and seven rebounds. That was Luka Dončić Monday in Chicago, as the Lakers picked up another solid win on this extended road trip, beating the Bulls 129-118. The Lakers fell behind early, but used strong work from Luka and LeBron James (20 first half points) to pull up by 20 before a late Chicago run cut the gap to 13 at the half.

In the third, the Lakers seemed like they were going to repeat the formula used in Dallas on Saturday, as they allowed the lead to fall all the way down to a single point. But rather than give it up (and then fall behind) the Lakers built it back up, and weren't truly threatened from there.

Gold stars for Rui Hachimura, as well, who was an incredibly good 9-11 from the floor, including 4-5 from three-point range, en route to 23 points.

It was easily his best game since returning from injury, and probably his best game of the year to this point.

Kudos to the Lakers as well for controlling the game by controlling the ball. Only six turnovers, which definitely limited Chicago's ability to put up easy points. (Not that they need much help - the Bulls have a very good attack.)

On to Cleveland, Wednesday.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Luka Dončić, excellent at basketball.

SEGMENT 2: Rui!

SEGMENT 3: Time to worry about Ayton?

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Have the Lakers Found Some Rhythm With Rui Hachimura as a 6th Man?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Going back to training camp, may people, including the hosts of this show, have been clamoring for Rui Hachimura to come off the bench, where his skill set -- offensive punch, shooting ability, and so on -- would be better featured. Moreover, putting Rui on the bench also makes it easier for JJ Redick to pair him with the kinds of defenders that can help raise his level and cover his shortcomings.

And lo and behold, over the last three games, with Rui's minutes restriction seeming to end, the Lakers have had some very positive results in his minutes.

So is this something they can capitalize on going forward? Now that Rui is capable of playing regular minutes, is Redick going to resist any temptation to put him back in the starting lineup?

And what happens when Austin Reaves comes back, which should be before the end of this roadie? The Lakers need Austin's scoring, up and down the lineup, and just as important, for him to move other players into slots that suit them better. LeBron shouldn't be asked to put up 25-30 a night. The bench units get better because one more member of the Big Three is available there to play with them. Your last guy in the rotation may not play at all.

These types of incremental improvements can make a significant difference for a team like the Lakers whose shortcomings are obvious and hard to address.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Rui as a sixth man... is it working?

SEGMENT 2: Why it makes sense for Rui to come off the bench.

SEGMENT 3: What happens when Reaves is back?

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Luka Dončic, Rui Hachimura Fuel 4th Quarter Comeback as Lakers Beat Dallas, 116-110

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sun, 25 Jan 2026 05:30:00 +0000

In the first half against the Mavericks in Dallas the Lakers played solid, efficient basketball, led (not surprisingly) by Luka Dončić, who always wants to stick it to his old team. Led by 13 at the half!

In the third, however, it's like the lights flipped off. They turned the ball over seven times, missed a ton of layups, and were outscored 35-14. It was one of the worst 12-minute stretches of the season. Down 15 with 7:40 to go, the Lakers had a win probability of 1.7%. But then they managed to get the lid off the rim, get a few buckets and turn things up defensively. The Lakers chipped away at the deficit, and used two big Rui Hachimura triples (including one four-point play) to pull even and then ahead. LeBron, who was VERY quiet in the first half, came alive later in the game, including on defense.

And of course Luka Dončić, who was two rebounds shy of a triple double. 33 points on 8-15 from the floor and 14-15 from the free throw line, plus eight rebounds and 11 assists. It wasn't a flashy game, but it was incredibly effective.

Luka runs his record to 4-0 against his former team. A solid bounce back from a disappointing performance Thursday against the Clippers.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Big Comeback Falls Short as Lakers Lose to Clippers, 112-104

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:40:00 +0000

Down 26 in the third quarter to the Clippers, it looked like a night where the Lakers, who have a long stretch of (actual) road games coming up, might just want to wave the white flag and let important players get some rest.

Or... they could put a big comeback together and to close the third, then made a big push into the fourth. The Lakers got to within two, but couldn't close it out. You can be happy the team didn't quit and the fact that they were able to find a way to create momentum certainly makes the loss a little more palatable, but as JJ Redick noted after the game, the Lakers need to do a better job avoiding the type of big drought offensively that got them behind the eight ball in the second quarter, and the variance on the defensive side of things needs to narrow.

But overall, what looked like it was going to be a disaster turned more into your garden variety bummer of a loss against a big crosstown rival.

For their part, the Clippers have clearly turned things around, and while they lost too much ground early in the year to contend for a top four spot, it seems pretty likely they'll land in the top 10 and become arguably the scariest play-in team ever.

Now the Lakers head out into the meat of the Grammy trip, with games coming in Dallas, Chicago, Cleveland, Washington, New York and Brooklyn. Not quite a murderer's row, but six straight NBA road games presents a challenge, no matter the opponents.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The comeback falls short, Lakers lose to Clippers 112-104.

SEGMENT 2: JJ Redick hints at selfishness, self-interest becoming a thing as the deadline approaches.

SEGMENT 3: LeBron James on the ESPN Report.

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ESPN Reports How the Sale of the Lakers Tore the Buss Family Apart

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Well, the good vibes around Tuesday's win over the Nuggets was overshadowed pretty fast.

Baxter Holmes of ESPN dropped a long, well-reported story on the family drama that drove, and then surrounded, the sale of the Lakers from the Buss family to Mark Walter. It was, as so many things have been since Dr. Jerry Buss died and left control of the team to Jeanie and Jim in 2013, full of incredible tension between the Buss siblings. It was a story with conflict, alliances and more, and all of it exceedingly sad, because ultimately it was control of the team, whether in the most literal sense or in the challenges of trying to put a stamp on it, that ripped the family apart.

There is a lot of stuff packed into the article, some of it known, some of it not, and a lot of dots that were connected in ways that likely make sense to people. There were interesting and revealing details about how Joey and Jesse Buss were let go from the team a few weeks ago, about bonuses paid out to team executives like Linda and Kurt Rambis, and contentions that management resented the credit LeBron James got for turning the team around after some awful seasons.

And, of course, it lends itself to important questions going forward. How long does Walter look at Jeanie and Rob Pelinka as a trustworthy asset? How long until he assets more control?

Ultimately, if you're someone who has followed the team closely for a while, the story reinforced a lot of what you might have already felt about the major players in this long running family drama, and how their conflict influenced how the Lakers were managed.

It's a family of very, very wealthy people, especially now that the sale has gone through. But at a major cost to the family bond.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: A big story about the Buss family.
SEGMENT 2: The LeBron factor.
SEGMENT 3: What's next?

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Luka Dončić (38/13/10) Masterful as Lakers Win in Denver, 115-107

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 07:25:00 +0000

One of the good things about Sunday's win over Toronto was that the Lakers did it without a big game from Luka Dončić.

Tuesday in Denver, they picked up a huge win against the Nuggets, and this time Luka was in the middle of it all. He controlled most of the minutes he played, finishing with a very efficient 38 points (12-21 shooting) to go with 13 rebounds and ten assists. LeBron James was big, especially in the third quarter, with 19/9/8, and while the Lakers didn't get any double-figure scorers off the bench, they did have three players (Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Drew Timme) with nine. As a team, the Lakers not only took enough, but made enough 3's to keep the offense flowing.

Frankly, had the Lakers managed to hit free throws (22-31), they could have won by a lot more.

But perhaps the most impressive aspect of the victory, other than Dončić, was the way they stepped up defensively on Jamal Murray in the second half. Murray absolutely destroyed them in the first 24 minutes, but out of the break the Lakers made a concerted effort to get the ball out of his hands, aggressively doubling to force passes. And making someone else beat them was a very strong strategy. Denver went through long scoring droughts, and overall the Lakers held them to 36 points in the second half. Factor in a little shot luck if you'd like, those are still outstanding numbers.

Best win of the year? Hard to say. But it's gotta be on the list.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Luka masterful as the Lakers pick up a win in Denver.

SEGMENT 2: Has the defense turned a corner?

SEGMENT 3: It's Timme Time!

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Luka Is an All-Star Starter, LeBron's Streak Broken... Plus, Lakers on "Two Timelines?"

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

First things first, the Lakers have an All-Star starter. That's not unusual, it happens every year it seems! And this year, it's Luka Dončić, who will represent the purple and gold for the World team. Meanwhile, though, LeBron James had his two-decade streak of All-Star nods snapped, and it's an open question as to whether he'll eventually make the team... or even if he wants to, in his heart of hearts.

The numbers put him on the bubble, or pretty close to it at least. And there's time to burnish the resume, if that's what it takes.

Meanwhile, the trade deadline is creeping up, and on ESPN.com Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst have described the Lakers as being on the (now dreaded) "two timelines." That's one where you're trying to send LeBron out a winner, and another where you're building around Luka. But are these really separate timelines? How does that work practically, where you could pick up a player that helps significantly this year, but wouldn't be the type of player you'd want to use next season.

The Lakers have lots of potential cap space this summer. A trade that bleeds into it, if it's someone they like, basically just signing a guy now, as opposed to later.

One timeline, Lakers. One. You're not sophisticated enough for two.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Luka is an All-Star, LeBron isn't... not yet at least.

SEGMENT 2: Two timelines?

SEGMENT 3: The Lakers need to pick a lane, and only one is really viable... and they know that.

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Great Team Effort Helps the Lakers Beat Toronto 110-93, Ayton Perfect from Floor (10-10)

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 06:45:00 +0000

This was a game the Lakers really needed.

Not just that they beat the Toronto Raptors Sunday at Crypto.com, 110-93, but the way they got it done. This was as balanced a team effort as the Lakers have had in a long while. Luka Dončić (25 points, seven assists) wasn't bad, but he wasn't dominant. LeBron James (24 points, seven dimes) continued a solid stretch of play, but wasn't turn-back-the-clock dominant. What the Lakers got was a spectacular performance from Deandre Ayton (25 points, 10-10 from the floor to go with 13 rebounds), and really solid contributions from guys like Jarred Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura, who hit a couple big shots over the course of his 21 minutes, particularly in the third quarter.

But mostly, they won playing cohesive defense. 93 points is a season low, and it didn't feel like the Raptors (who are good) missing a bunch of bunnies, or throwing the ball all over the gym. They've got most of their important players on the floor. But after a shaky start, the Lakers found their stride and sustained a solid defensive effort the rest of the way.

If Lakers fans could bottle this, they would. So would the Lakers, themselves.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: A balanced effort for a big win.

SEGMENT 2: Finally, defensive connectivity!
SEGMENT 3: New contributors for the second half of the season?

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With No Luka Dončić (Among Others) the Lakers Lose Big in Portland, 132-116

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 06:55:00 +0000

Some games are borderline unwinnable, assuming the opponent shows up to play. Portland did, and without Luka Dončić, Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes and (of course) Austin Reaves, the Lakers were simply down too much talent.

The end result was predictable-- the available players put out a good effort, and ultimately it didn't matter. Final score, 132-116. The Lakers are now sliding dangerously close to play-in territory, and with a game Sunday against the Raptors could be in that section of the standings before the weekend is over.

There were some individual performances worth praising, including Drew Timme (21 points), Maxi Kleber, Rui Hachimura (11 points in 19 minutes) and Marcus Smart (a team-leading 25), but the assignment was too tough.

The Lakers will try to regroup ahead of Sunday's game, and there's at least a possibility the guys missing Saturday could (save Reaves) play Sunday, as they're all listed as day-to-day. On the other hand, LeBron could very well sit out after having just played both sides of the back to back.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Lakers Defense Collapses Completely in Painful 135-117 Loss to the Hornets

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:29:39 +0000

Luka Dončić was 15-26 en route to 39 points. LeBron James was efficient, scoring 29 points on 10-19 from the floor.

So 68 points on good percentages from the two stars, a very low turnover number (nine)... and yet the Lakers still lost to the visiting Charlotte Hornets by 18. Final score, 135-117. LaMelo Ball, who had only three points at the half, finished with 30. Brandon Miller, 26. Miles Bridges, 25. It was a total collapse after a strong start. They won the first quarter, and at one point were up by 13 before the wheels came off in a second quarter where they didn't get a bucket for the first two minutes, and then six more minutes without a field goal. Punchless offense played a big role in their defense being put on its heels over and over again.

Charlotte won the second quarter 34-16. They put up a 40 spot in the third quarter. And once again, a team got it done against the purple and gold by getting up and down the floor and forcing the Lakers to try and move with them. And has been the trend, the Lakers simply couldn't do it.

Once again, the Lakers bench offered virtually nothing, with nine points between Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent and Kobe Bufkin. These just aren't sustainable numbers.

So after a strong game Tuesday against Atlanta, the Lakers finish Thursday with a very bad feeling in their mouths, and have continued to slowly slide down the Western Conference playoff ladder, much closer now to that seven spot nobody wants than they are a top four slot.

The Lakers now will play the Blazers on Saturday, at a time where Portland is starting to get very healthy.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Lakers collapse defensively, again.

SEGMENT 2: The offense continues to have (the wrong kind of) impact.

SEGMENT 3: It doesn't get easier, looking at the calendar.

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LeBron James Tries to Distance Himself From Rich Paul's Idea to Trade Austin Reaves

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Generally speaking, players don't want their agents to be making headlines.

That apparently applies these days even to LeBron James and his agent Rich Paul, who have long been seen as a symbiotic pair - when Paul speaks, it's on behalf of LeBron. So when Paul used time on his new podcast with Max Kellerman to discuss trade scenarios, including a hypothetical that would send Austin Reaves to Memphis for Jaren Jackson Jr... LeBron was pretty quick to distance himself from the comments. He told ESPN's Dave McMenamin that, to paraphrase, Rich Paul is a grown **s man who is responsible for what comes out of his mouth. That idea had nothing to do with him, and James reiterated how much he loves Austin as a player and a teammate.

Whether people will buy that explanation is a different matter, but what matters most for the Lakers—who are reportedly annoyed by Paul's repeated attempts to play GM—is whether Austin believes LeBron. If he does, this story is an annoyance, nothing more.

If he doesn't, or there's reason to believe LeBron isn't being honest? Different kettle of fish.

Then there's the question of whether Paul is hitting on something that, while not a constructive thing to have in the news cycle, might be good for the Lakers. There is some overlap in skill sets between Reaves and Luka Dončić. There are challenges building a team that can defend with those two at the core. So would Reaves for JJJ make the team better?

Is there a different deal out there the Lakers ought to consider?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are dealing with a distraction from... LeBron's agent?

SEGMENT 2: LeBron says Paul's words aren't his.

SEGMENT 3: Is Reaves for JJJ a good idea?

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Lakers Bounce Back Behind 31/9/10 from LeBron, 27 From Luka, Beat Hawks 141-116

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 07:30:00 +0000

The lid finally came off the hoop.

The Lakers, who couldn't have been colder Monday night in Sacramento, hada completely different experience against the Hawks on Tuesday. They were red hot from the floor, scoring 81 points in the first half, and despite a horrible third quarter in which they allowed what had been a 32-point half was more than halved, they found their footing again in the final quarter and won going away, 141-116.

The Lakers were led by LeBron James—playing both ends of a back-to-back for the first time this season—who was one rebound away from a triple-double (31/9/10) and Luka Dončić (27/5/12), but all five starters finished in double figures, including Deandre Ayton, who also grabbed a season-high 18 rebounds.

Rui Hachimura returned to the lineup, scoring seven points in 18 minutes.

Overall, the team shot 58% from the floor, including 56% from 3-point range, and hit 26-30 free throws (86%). They piled up 36 assists, and when they weren't playing a prevent offense (going so slowly to try and bleed clock) in the third, moved ball and man well. Buckets came off activity, which is always nice to see. As a team they have to hope that the opportunity to exhale, break the losing streak, and see the ball go through the hoop a few times lets everyone relax.

The Lakers will have a chance to build on the good vibes on Thursday at home against Charlotte.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: LeBron near trip-dub leads Lakers to win.

SEGMENT 2: Better movement, better results.

SEGMENT 3: Still more to clean up.

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Lakers Embarrassed In Sacramento, Lose 124-112 Despite 42 From Luka Dončić

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 07:10:00 +0000

When the Lakers lose, they lose loud. Monday in Sacramento, though, was a screamer.

Playing a team tied for the worst in the Western Conference, the Lakers feel behind early, and couldn't really threaten to complete the comeback. Final score, 124-112. Statistically, the Kings benefitted from a shockingly good shooting night from the perimeter, making 17-26 (65%). DeMar DeRozan, who didn't take a three, was 14-19 from the floor.

Meanwhile, the Lakers were a 1.5 man band. Luka Dončić kept them afloat for a while, and finished with 42 points on a very efficient 16-25. LeBron James chipped in 22. But fellow starters Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia combined for three points. Jarred Vanderbilt, in 26 minutes off the bench, had a goose egg. Bronny James, who checked in with 1:53 remaining, had more points than all three of them combined. But you can't win NBA games shooting the way that the Lakers shoot. 22% from three, which was actually boosted by Bronny's 2-2 at the end of the game. They are a bad, bad, bad shooting team, and it's getting harder for them to paper over the problems.

Gold stars for the centers Monday. Both Jaxson Hayes (12 points, four offensive rebounds) and Deandre Ayton (13 rebounds, two blocks) showed up and contributed. But after that? Maybe you give Gabe Vincent a nod for a couple second half triples?

But with a Hawks team that has been playing a little better of late (three straight wins) coming to town Tuesday, the Lakers really couldn't afford to give this one away, and they most certainly did.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: A terrible, terrible loss in Sacramento.

SEGMENT 2: No supporting cast.

SEGMENT 3: The bad offense creates bad defense.

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Rui Hachimura Will Come Off the Bench In His Return... Will That Be Permanent?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

The Lakers get a big lift Monday night. Rui Hachimura is off the injury report entirely and, barring some sort of late setback, will be back in the lineup Monday night in Sacramento.

No surprise, given the time he was out, but JJ Redick said Sunday he'd be on a minutes restriction, and come off the bench.

The big question for Lakers fans is whether this is just temporary, or if the minutes restriction is the entry point Redick will use to do the thing he should have been doing, anyway: Bring Hachimura off the bench. We've been calling for it in this space since the summer. The numbers, small sample size notwithstanding, indicate that the Lakers would be better off with Hachimura as a reserve. Redick, though, has resisted.

But if the Lakers can find some rhythm over the next few games and Rui performs well, maybe things just stay as they are? With Jake LaRavia in the starting lineup, with Marcus Smart. Then when Austin Reaves comes back, another adjustment is made.

The Lakers really need Rui back, not just as a floor spacer and an offensive weapon -- both of which are very important for this group -- but also to slot guys like Jarred Vanderbilt into a workload that makes more sense and helps maximize positive impact while minimizing the negative.

Finally, former Laker Denis Schroder won't be playing Monday. Why? Because he was suspended by the league for three games for trying to fight Luka Dončić following the last time the two teams met, responding to smack talk Luka delivered, specifically about how Schroder dropped the enormous bag the Lakers tried real hard to get him to take.

Crazy!

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Rui is back!

SEGMENT 2: Rui will come off the bench Monday... will he stay there?

SEGMENT 3: The delightful story of Denis and Luka.

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Luka Dončić Fouls Out, Comeback Falls Short, Lakers Lose 105-101 to Bucks

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 07:15:00 +0000

For most of the night, the Lakers looked like they weren't going to have a chance to win... then all of a sudden they not only had a chance, but found themselves up four with three minutes to play. From there, though, they couldn't extend the comeback. Giannis poked the ball away from LeBron James on the final trip, and the Lakers lose 105-101.

It's the first clutch time loss of the year for the purple and gold, and it came largely because Luka Dončić had likely his worst game as a Laker, finishing 8-25 from the floor, and fouled out of the game for only the third time in his career. It was Luka's foul that put Porter Jr. on the line with a chance to win the game, and it became his sixth only because he picked up his fifth with two seconds left in the third quarter, on one of the worst fouls you'll ever see a player earn.

The whole night was a struggle for 77.

LeBron (26/9/10, plus three steals) did what he could to keep the team afloat, and the Lakers used good performances from guys like Jake LaRavia (13 points, two steals) and Jarred Vanderbilt (nine points, nine rebounds) and a whole lot of hustle from every player that took the floor. Ultimately, though, they dug too deep a hole to climb out of. It was bound to happen sometime, but it's nonetheless disapppointing to see the Lakers drop a game they were in position to win.

Against the Spurs, a shorthanded Lakers team could lean into some of the positives that came from the game, even without winning. Friday, though, definitely counts as a big missed opportunity.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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What Trades Can the Lakers Make at the Deadline? Is Improvement Possible?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 9 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

It's only early January, but we've already seen the first big deal of the year, as Trae Young was sent to Washington. Giannis says he's not asking out in Milwaukee, and the Bucks are reportedly trying to find ways to improve.

Yep, we're in the thick of it.

For the Lakers, it's a tricky proposition. With 23 wins, they're among the league leaders. But their 12 losses have all been by (famously at this point) double digits. So their flaws are pretty clear. So what's available to help address them? ESPN on Thursday put out a few hypothetical deals for teams around the NBA. One included Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III, a player the Lakers would love to have. Would LA have a shot? What about defense-first guard Keon Ellis, who is expected to move from Sacramento? Could the Lakers put deals together for either?

And what kind of trade would the Lakers make? Would they be willing to take on salary? Would they be too tempted by the very potential of getting someone like Giannis in a summer or two? Would the Lakers prioritize flexibility? Would they take a risk on a player they'd have to commit to financially, even if it's not at a huge salary, even after getting burned by contracts for Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt?

Keep in mind, the Lakers don't exactly have a treasure trove of assets. Only one tradable first rounder, only one second round pick, and a few swaps. The only remotely appealing expiring contract (meaning a player that other teams would deem useful) is Rui Hachimura. No slam dunk young assets to offer.

So it's a tough assignment for Rob Pelinka.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: It's tradin' time!

SEGMENT 2: What can the Lakers do? Is Keon Ellis an option?

SEGMENT 3: What would they be willing to do?

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Luka Dončić Scores 38, but Overmatched Lakers Lose in San Antonio, 107-91

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 8 Jan 2026 06:45:00 +0000

It's hard to fault the effort, but the Lakers—who added LeBron James to the list of guys in street clothes, to go along with Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura—ultimately were out-talented Wednesday night in San Antonio. Final score, 107-71.

It was a sloppy game, for sure, but the Lakers did what they could to stay in it. What they needed, though, was a night where the whole team shoots well from downtown, offense came from surprising sources, or maybe both. Those things didn't happen, so the Lakers were essentially left with a very, very good Luka Dončić, who was involved in basically every bucket the Lakers managed to score. He finished with 38/10/10. Jake LaRavia finished with 16 points, but the rest of the starting lineup (Deandre Ayton, Jarred Vanderbilt, Marcus Smart) combined for TK points. The bench wasn't of much help, either, with only Jaxson Hayes cracking double digits (10 points).

San Antonio, on the other hand, also had a rough night shooting as a team, but even without Devin Vassell available, just had significantly more firepower on hand to get the job done.

It shows why it was so important for the Lakers to win on Tuesday in New Orleans. Even if LeBron played, the end result (if not the path to get there) could have looked much different.

So now the Lakers come home to kick off a stretch of winnable games, specifically five games in a row against teams currently under .500.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Lakers are shorthanded, and the game goes as expected.

SEGMENT 2: Lakers don't have much offense in the supporting cast.

SEGMENT 3: Five critical games coming.

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Luka Dončić Dials Up Late Magic, LeBron Excels In 111-103 Win Over New Orleans

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 7 Jan 2026 07:05:00 +0000

It wasn't a work of art, but it was enough to get the job done.

After being outplayed in the third quarter, the Lakers entered the fourth down seven in their visit to New Orleans against the Pelicans. At that point, LeBron James took over, looking extremely spry as he put on an offensive show (including one steal and finish at the other end). Luka Dončić hit a pair of improbable 3's late, and the defense held down the Pels en route to a 111-103 win.

Overall, it was probably LeBron's strongest game of the year, finishing with 30/8/8. He was able to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim, which should help him get a little more space on his jumper. (James was 3-5 from 3-point range on the night.) Dončić didn't hit a three in the first half, but had two big ones late - including one circus shot to bail the Lakers out on a bad trip - and along the way, threw two of the most incredible lob passes you'll ever see. FInal line, 30 points (11-22 shooting) along with 10 dimes.

The Lakers also saw very strong contributions from Deandre Ayton (18/11) and Jarred Vanderbilt (7/8/4, with tons of energy).

And the defense really tightened up. New Orleans was held to 17 points in the final frame, and while some of that can be attributed to it being the Pelicans, but overall the Lakers did a good job with specific strategic actions, like putting heavy ball pressure on Zion Williamson.

And importantly, the Lakers had (with the exception of the opening minutes of the third quarter) played hard, even when they weren't playing well. Which matters a lot. Had they sleepwalked through bigger stretches, they could have dropped a very important game.

Wednesday, the Lakers are in San Antonio, and will still be shorthanded. Really big to pick up the win on Tuesday.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Luka and LeBron come up big, Lakers win.

SEGMENT 2: It helps to try all the time.

SEGMENT 3: Who plays against the Spurs on Wednesday?

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What Does the Austin Reaves for Dillon Brooks "Rumor" Say About the Trade Market?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 6 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

It's not exactly a rumor, more a suggestion. On the "Run It Back" podcast, former Laker DeMarcus Cousins suggested the purple and gold swap Austin Reaves for Dillon Brooks. No doubt, the Suns wing, who is having a fantastic year, has been linked to the Lakers in rumors before, but the suggestion from Cousins got a lot of attention.

Could it happen? Suns owner Mat Ishbia shot it down on Monday, for whatever that's worth. Brooks, he said, isn't going anywhere. Nor does it seem likely the Lakers would make that offer, anyway.

But the whole conversation says a lot about the trade market the Lakers are facing. It's a very competitive one, and they won't enter it with a lot to offer.

Meanwhile, Deandre Ayton, like the rest of the squad, has seen his production drop off a little over the last couple weeks, and noted that as a big, he doesn't get to give himself the ball. JJ Redick has said it's not unusual -- human nature, actually -- to lose a little intensity defensively and on the glass when you don't feel the ball on offense. Especially for a big. So what can the Lakers do about it? How much is on Ayton? And how much does this conversation reflect the vibes shift around the team?

Finally, the Lakers botched a lot of ATOs on Friday, and got their act together on Sunday. But why so many mistakes?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The "rumor" of Reaves for Brooks.

SEGMENT 2: Why Ayton needs touches!

SEGMENT 3: Are the Lakers slipping in a lot of fundamental ways?

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Strong Games From Luka Dončić, LeBron James and Jake LaRavia Push Lakers Past Memphis

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 5 Jan 2026 07:05:00 +0000

At halftime, Sunday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies looked like it might be one of the more frustrating losses of the year, as LA allowed 65 points to an undermanned Memphis squad, and couldn't get any real rhythm to their offense.

By the end, all was well in the word.

Final score, 120-114. A strong push in the fourth quarter from LeBron James (26 points, 10 assists, one turnover) combined with a strong game from Luka Dončić (36/9/8) and another good one from Jake LaRavia (26 points) was enough to give the Lakers the margin they needed. More than anything, though, the Lakers found more energy on defense, perhaps because the ball began to swing more on the other end. The Lakers just moved with more purpose on both ends in the second half. Helps, too, that they hit some shots, after an ice cold first half. Deandre Ayton was particularly spry defending the rim down the stretch, finishing with three blocks to go along with 15 points and eight rebounds.

So like Friday's game, there were many things to like and some other things that less fantastic.

But in a time with guys in street clothes (in addition to Austin Reaves, we learned Sunday that Rui Hachimura won't travel this week for the New Orleans/San Antonio back-to-back, so the Lakers have at least two more games without him, and many more without Reaves.

Plenty of work left to do, but the Lakers got it done in a doubleheader against a weaker team.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The lakers beat Memphis 120-114.

SEGMENT 2: A new, if temporary, Big Three.

SEGMENT 3: Improvements, but still a lot of work left to do.

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Luka Doncic Puts up 34 Points, Lakers CLOSE STRONG in WIN over Grizzlies

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sat, 3 Jan 2026 07:45:00 +0000

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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The Lakers Have an Identity Problem, Part II: Roster Construction

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 2 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

After Tuesday's loss to Detroit, JJ Redick noted that the Lakers have an identity problem. In the sense that they don't really have an identity.

For Thursday's show, we talked about part of that equation, namely leadership. The team is in a transition from a LeBron-voiced squad to one where Luka Dončić is both the face and the leader, and unquestionably the team's best player. But the styles are very different, and both elevating Luka and having LeBron step back are muddling things.

But another part of the lack of identity?

Roster.

The Lakers just aren't built to effectively maximize Luka on either side of the ball, which inherently makes it harder to build a culture, or identity, or discernable style of play. So is that something that can be fixed? How did we get here?

To say the least, Rob Pelinka has work to do.

And so does JJ Redick, broadly, and Friday against Memphis because the team is again shorthanded.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are down more guys against the Grizz.

SEGMENT 2: How much does roster construction hinder building an identity?

SEGMENT 3: What can be done?

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JJ Redick Says the Lakers Lack an Identity (Part 1)

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 1 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

After the loss Tuesday to Detroit, Lakers coach JJ Redick was asked about the team's identity, and whether they've been able to forge one.

His answer... not really, but they're trying.

There are plenty of reasons. Injuries, first and foremost. The Lakers simply haven't been able to keep not just individual players on the floor, bujt run with a reasonably consistent rotation since the beginning of the year. All three stars have missed time. Every supporting player, basically the same. The number of starting lineups at this point is pretty crazy.

Still, it seemed earlier in the year like they had one... so what changed? Was identity -- at team that played hard, took care of small things, had a collective spirit, etc. -- really just a group held together by elite Luka play, and high All-Star work from Austin Reaves?

What about leadership? Things do look different since LeBron came back. In terms of forging identity, how does the transition from a LeBron team to a Luka team factor in?

We break down some of the big issues of leadership. For Friday's show, we break down the roster. Do they have the personnel to create a consistent identity? One they would want, at least?

Happy New Year to all!

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Do the Lakers have an identity?
SEGMENT 2: How LeBron complicates things.
SEGMENT 3: The change in leadership style from LeBron to Luka.

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Turnovers Kill Lakers In 128-106 Loss to Detroit. Red Flags Heading Into 2026...

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The Kings on Sunday provided a brief respite from their troubles, but the Lakers were neck deep in them again on Tuesday, with the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons in town. The Lakers seemed to be outplayed in the first half, with the Pistons shooting 68%, Cade Cunningham shooting 9-13, and the Lakers turning the ball over 12 times, yet the purple and gold entered the break down by five.

They managed to keep it close in the third, even managing to pull even, despite many, many moments where it felt like Detroit would pull away.

But in the fourth quarter, the dam finally broke. An eight point deficit became 17 by the six minute mark, and eventually cracked 20. The Lakers got incredibly loose with the ball, a combination of carelessness and an attempt to force the action to find offense, and Detroit capitalized on all of it.

Offense was just incredibly hard to come by. Luka Dončić and LeBron James were both under 50% for the night. LeBron had more turnovers than dimes, and Luka had eight of his own. Deandre Ayton was the only other starter in double figures, but he also only had two rebounds and was broadly a non-factor in the game. Jarred Vanderbilt had eight points in the first half, none in the second. Nick Smith couldn't follow his strong Sunday with a decent Tuesday, missing all but one of his field goal attempts.

The Lakers have some winnable games on the slate, at least in theory, but the W's aren't going to come unless they can clean up the offense.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Lakers lose to Pistons thanks to self-inflicted wounds.

SEGMENT 2: The Lakers have some issues scoring.

SEGMENT 3: What happens going forward?

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LeBron James Turns 41... Will He Miss the All-Star Game for the First Time

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Technically, the last time LeBron James missed the All-Star Game was ... last year, when he couldn't play because of injury. The last time he wasn't on the team? 2004, in his rookie season.

But that streak is in jeopardy. James, who has only played 14 games this season, is way behind in the first round of fan voting, released Monday by the NBA. If he can't make an electoral comeback, he'd have to find an alternate way onto the team, and given his (by his standards) relatively modest output to this point in the season, there's certainly no guarantee he'd be added to it as an at-large guy. Obviously there's still time between now and when the teams are finalized, but currently it's reasonable to believe James is on the outside looking in.

Which is weird. On the other hand, he's turning 41 on Tuesday, and the idea you're having any sort of conversation about this for a guy this old is pretty amazing, but the "Yes or no?" question is relevant for more than just history. The Lakers need All-Star LeBron, especially while Austin Reaves is on the sidelines. The Lakers need to figure out how they're going to maximize LBJ while at the same time keeping him on the floor and performing.

Meanwhile, against the Pistons Tuesday night, the Lakers should have Jaxson Hayes back in the lineup, but could be missing Rui Hachimura, who sat out practice on Monday. But regardless of who plays, the Lakers will need to find a way to build on the better level of play they produced against the Kings on Sunday. Who are the guys who step up after Luka Dončić and LeBron?

Finally, JJ Redick had some revealing comments at practice Monday about the composition of the Lakers' roster.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: LeBron is turning 41.
SEGMENT 2: An All-Star Game without LeBron?
SEGMENT 3: An interesting comment about skill sets from JJ Redick.

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Lakers Bounce Back, Beat Sacramento Behind 34 From Luka Dončić, 24 From LeBron James

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 06:50:00 +0000

The Lakers got some bad news this weekend, as the team learned Austin Reaves is going to miss weeks with a recurrence of his calf injury, but even with that in mind, a loss against the nine-win Sacramento Kings at home? For the team's fourth setback in a row?

That would set off all the alarms.

No worries! The Lakers took care of business, getting out to a lead in the first half that they never relinquished, en route to a comfortable 125-101 win. Luka Dončić led the way with 34 points, along with seven dimes and three steals. LeBron James was supremely efficient from the floor (11-13) to finish with 24 points, five assists and two steals. Four more Lakers finished in double figures, let by Nick Smith with 21, including 5-10 from 3-point range.

It's hard to know how much the defense improved, given how banged up (and bad) the Kings currently are, but it was still good to see the Lakers drive down the opposing point totals, and hold a team under 50% from the floor.

No question, things will get tougher Tuesday when the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons visit Crypto.com, but for the time being, the Lakers can feel a little better about themselves.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get back on track with a 125-101 win.

SEGMENT 2: Better showing on both sides, good support from the bench.

SEGMENT 3: What did the Lakers discuss?

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Reaves re-injured, More Terrible Defense for the Lakers In 119-96 Loss

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 06:45:00 +0000

It seems to be getting worse before it gets (hopefully) better.

The Lakers spoiled Christmas with a very, very lackluster effort against the visiting Houston Rockets. The Lakers were flat from the get go, fell down by 12 after the first quarter, and never really threatened to get back into it. They simply aren't functioning well enough on the defensive side of the ball to reliably make a comeback on a team like Houston. Not just because the Rockets can defend, and but because there's no reason in the slightest to believe they can get enough stops.

JJ Redick lit into his group after the game, with cause. Players recognized the need to play harder and faster. But how much of this is roster construction and skill set? How much is Redick looking to be precious around his choices? At the least, shouldn't JJ consider a change in the starting lineup? Maybe Rui out, Smart in?

Because what's happening now don't work.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers again get thumped.
SEGMENT 2: What's going wrong?
SEGMENT 3: What are the potential things JJ could do to address what's happening?

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No Luka Dončić, and the Lakers Get Hammered By Phoenix, 132-108

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 06:20:00 +0000

The game was going well enough, until it didn't. Playing without Luka Dončić and Rui Hachimura, and with Austin Reaves back in the lineup but restricted in his minutes (he came off the bench), there was certainly a chance the Lakers could struggle, but man alive, once the struggle kicked in near the end of the first half, things got very ugly very fast.

Halfway through the second, the Lakers were down three. They finished the half down 11. They were outscored in the third by 16. Game set match. Final score, 132-108.

It was arguably the ugliest, most unpleasant watch of the year. The Lakers couldn't get a stop, and while Phoenix certainly made some shots, most of the time the purple and gold didn't require the Suns to work very hard. Meanwhile, on the other end the Lakers struggled to keep up when Phoenix hit the accelerator.

Of all the games the Lakers have lost this season, it wouldn't be a surprise for this one not only to anger Lakers fans the most, but scare them, too. Obviously it makes a difference when Luka plays, but the Lakers looked pretty bad in this game, and teams with championship (or at the least, deep playoff) aspirations sould be able to function without their star better than they did on Tuesday.

So for the first time this year, the Lakers have lost consecutive games. And this was a bad one.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: No Luka, no defense, no win.

SEGMENT 2: What's going wrong, here?

SEGMENT 3: Are the Lakers in trouble?

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Luka Dončić, Rui Hachimura Won't Play Vs. Phoenix, Austin Reaves Questionable

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The last time the Lakers played the Suns, there were fireworks. There were technical fouls. There was a tremendous amount of tension between Suns wing Dillon Brooks and LeBron James. Tuesday in Phoenix, it's another round in this longstanding rivalry. They are, to paraphrase Muhammad Ali, gonna get it on, because they don't get along.

The rest of the game, however, could look significantly different than last week when these teams met at the Crypt.

Luka Dončić, who left Saturday's game against the Clippers at the half thanks to what we now know is a calf contusion, will miss the game. Rui Hachimura is still out, as is Gabe Vincent. There's a chance Austin Reaves, who was absent from the lineup in last week's game, could be back. Deandre Ayton will be available, which is excellent news for a shorthanded team.

Ayton's efficiency and rebounding will be a key addition to the team's attack, both in terms of adding shot quality, but also through offensive rebounds and second chance points. Meanwhile, having someone who cleans up the defensive glass certainly won't hurt. This is, after all, a big game against a team currently occupying the 7th spot out West, and the Lakers want to put as much space as they can between themselves and the Play In.

Speaking of Reaves, JJ Redick sang his praises at practice on Monday, calling him an All-Star, and talking about the belief he had that Reaves could reach this level. Is there any reason to think Reaves doesn't deserve that honor this year?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Lots of injury news for the Lakers in Phoenix.
SEGMENT 2: What to watch for with the Lakers facing Phoenix.
SEGMENT 3: Austin Reaves, All Star?

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No Word Yet on Luka Dončić's Availability... How Much Are Injuries Holding Back the Lakers?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The Lakers have had a tremendous amount of turnover in their lineups this season, thanks to a string of injuries to important players. Moreover, those injuries seem to be overlapping in ways that make it impossible for one group to get a high number of reps. Yet the team is still winning a lot of games.

So are the injuries helping the Lakers build resilience and chemistry that will serve them well in the postseason?

Are the injuries limiting the team's ability to maximize its ceiling?

Yes to both?

That would be a reasonable choice, as the Lakers head into Christmas week unsure whether a lot of important players can take the floor. Luka Dončić left Saturday's game at the half with a lower leg contusion. Austin Reaves is already out. Rui Hachimura was a late addition to the injury list, and Gabe Vincent was already there. If you're keeping score, that's four starters out for the Lakers, plus one key reserve. Oof.

There were no updates from the team on Sunday, though Monday should give a little more clarity, both for Tuesday's game against the Suns and then Christmas Day against the Rockets.

The good news is that even if the Lakers drop a few games while shorthanded, they've got some wiggle room built up thanks to a good early season play, but how much damage does this do to the team's upside? Is there any benefit to playing with this level of uncertainty?

And finally... the NBA always has a tension between fans, players, coaches and the officials. But it seems worse this year than in years past... why?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Who is healthy, who is not?
SEGMENT 2: What do the injuries do to the team's upside?
SEGMENT 3: Is the ref problem worse this year?

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Luka Dončić Leaves Game With Leg Contusion, Undermanned Lakers Lose to Clippers

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 07:20:00 +0000

The Lakers have not been an offensive juggernaut this year on a game-to-game basis, and on Saturday against the Clippers at the Intuit Dome arrived without Austin Reaves, Deandre Ayton and as a late addition to the injury report, Rui Hachimura. That's a lot of production in street clothes.

And then Luka Dončić took the floor, and looked uncomfortable physically from the jump. It only got worse. By halftime he was limping around pretty clearly... and then he didn't return for the third and fourth quarters.

So now it was LeBron James leading a game-but-limited crew, and the result was a not-at-all-surprising 103-88 loss to the LAC. Honestly, you can't fault the effort from James (36/4/3) or the work the rest of the guys put in. But the Lakers couldn't shoot to save their lives (a catastrophic 6-33 from downtown, or 16%, and under 40% from the floor, overall), and ultimately that cost them. Really, were the Clippers an even competent squad, they'd have blown this thing open and kept it that way.

So we'll see what the injury report says as the Lakers head into Tuesday's game against the Suns, then Christmas Day against the Rockets.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Luka Dončić's 44 Point Triple-Double, Big 4th Quarter Give Lakers a Win Over Utah

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 06:35:00 +0000

The Lakers seemed content just to run with Utah and try to exchange buckets for a while. The first half in particular was some of the worst defense you'll see at the NBA level.

After the break, though, the Lakers started to right the ship on that side, and down the stretch clearly bumped up the effort. The result was a 143-135 win over the Jazz in Utah. Luka Dončić led the way with a dominant 45 point, 11 rebound, 14 assist night. LeBron James was a major contributor, with 28 points and 10 dimes. Playing without Austin Reaves and Deandre Ayton, the Lakers had six players finish in double figures, and used strong bench contributions from Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia and Maxi Kleber to fuel the late push and get what will look in the box score like an easier win than it was.

It was a win that played along with themes that have followed the Lakers for the last couple weeks -- getting the job done, ultimately, but in ways that don't scream dominance, and with shortcomings that are glaring. The Lakers simply can't be as bad as they were defensively and expect to beat good teams. Or not be buried by the time they got around to making their run. At some point, they just have to show more consistency on that side.

On the flip side, an offense that has been effective in the macro but not exactly hyper-efficient in the micro was excellent on Wednesday. In that sense, there's stuff to build on. The Lakers get a day off before facing the Clippers Saturday.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get a win behind a big game from Luka.

SEGMENT 2: How about a little D?

SEGMENT 3: A chance to deepen humiliation for the Clippers.

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JJ Wants More Defense From Luka and LeBron. Plus, Banshees Offense and Ayton Out vs. Jazz

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The Lakers have a sneaky-tough game in Utah Thursday against a Jazz team that has righted the ship after an awful start to the year. LA, still without Austin Reaves, will also be short Deandre Ayton, who will miss the game with an elbow injury.

Maxi Kleber should be available, so the Lakers will have two centers to use against Utah's size, but how will JJ Redick change his rotation?

He certainly hopes he gets more defense from Luka Dončić and LeBron James. Luka spoke at Wednesday's practice about how he and The King were called out by the coach, who is demanding more from his stars as the Lakers suffer through a bad stretch of team defense. It's possible the Lakers could catch a break, as Utah star Lauri Markkanen is now listed as questionable with groin injury management. (Perhaps the Jazz want to stop this run of competence before it catches hold.) The Lakers would still need to deal with guard Keyonte George, who has made a leap this season after showing signs last year.

Meanwhile, the Lakers are working hard to build a sustainable culture, and a consistent level of play no matter who is available to them on any given night. They're not at that point yet. Urgency is always an issue - not necessarily in ways that often get confused with effort, but in things like pace and attention to detail.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: No Ayton in Utah.

SEGMENT 2: Building a culture means asking stars to do stuff and holding them to a standard.

SEGMENT 3: Banshees on O, too?

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NBA Trade Season Has Officially Kicked Off. Where Do the Lakers Stand?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

December 15 is a big day in the NBA, as the vast majority of players who moved in the offseason become eligible to be traded. Many around the league consider it the unofficial kickoff of "trade season."

The Lakers enter this stretch of weeks in an interesting spot: Obviously quite competitive (just look at the standings) and obviously flawed (just look at how they've lost, when they've lost). Figuring out where they go from here is not an easy task. On the one hand, they have Luka Dončić, a still-effective LeBron James and an ascending Austin Reaves. But they also lack the type of draft capital or young trade assets that typically juice in-season deals. They do have expiring contracts to offer (Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Rui Hachimura) but there aren't a ton of players who might be available that the Lakers could target.

One huge question that will likely impact the ultimate outcome more than just about anything: Are the Lakers willing to take on money that goes not just into next year, but into the summer of 2026, when big fish like Giannis and Jokic could be available as free agents? Are we back to cap space at all costs? Or are the Lakers ready to move (smartly but) aggressively not because they want to maximize the LeBron window, but Luka's prime?

There's not likely to be another Nico Harrison out there to help Rob Pelinka this year, so it'll take some clever GM'ing to get it done.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Trade season is here?

SEGMENT 2: What the Lakers have to offer.

SEGMENT 3: Expectations? What's the right approach?

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Will Jarred Vanderbilt Stay in the Rotation? Can the Lakers Resurrect Dalton Knecht's Value?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The Lakers found a fun formula against the Phoenix Suns Sunday, one that lifted their defensive energy and built up a big fourth quarter lead. (We're ignoring the part about how they gave all of it away, before winning in the end.) It involved a lot of defensive pressure and offensive rebounding, both of which were big contributions of Jarred Vanderbilt in his return to the lineup.

Vando had a great game, no question. But he's had great games before, and more of a challenge sustaining that level. Or, you might think that his coaches have struggled to figure out how exactly Vanderbilt can best be maximized.

Because it's pretty clear they need some of the stuff Vanderbilt brings, whether it's Vanderbilt himself that provides it.

But how? Who sits? Could the Lakers swap some of Gabe Vincent's minutes for Vanderbilt, and get more of what Redick is trying to achieve?

Meanwhile, Dalton Knecht is being assigned to the G-League. Which, from a development standpoint, makes sense. He needs the burn, since playing time is currently hard to come by. But that's not the only reason the Lakers are sending him there, likely.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers have a Vando problem? (In a potential good way?)

SEGMENT 2: How can the Lakers get the most out of Vanderbilt?

SEGMENT 3: What to do with Dalton Knecht?

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The Lakers Get Crazy 116-114 Win over Suns, Led by Energy from Deandre Ayton, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaxson Hayes

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 06:35:00 +0000

That game was bananas, but in the end, the Lakers win.

116-114 was the final, as the Suns and Lakers went back and forth with some wild runs, an individual rivalry that got super heated betwen LeBron James and Dillon Brooks, tons of foul calls and almost incomprehensible rebounding figures throughout (at one point deep into the second half, the Lakers had more offensive rebounds than defensive). But while Luka Dončić got his 29 and LeBron James 26, on a night the Lakers were without Austin Reaves, it was the supporting cast that provided the energy and fuel to get the win.

Deandre Ayton was 10-11 from the floor, and grabbed 13 rebounds. Jarred Vanderbilt got off the bench and was fantastic, with seven rebounds, seven points, two steals and a block. Jaxson Hayes finished with 12/9, and Jake LaRavia had two steals and two blocks. It was the bench (along with Ayton) that got the win on Sunday.

The Lakers showed more defense than they did against San Antonio on Wednesday, at least in the second half as they built up a 20-point lead in the second half... but then completely stopped moving offensively as they tried to nurse that lead to the finish line and in turn found themselves behind with seconds to play.

But then Dillon Brooks came to the rescue!

Ugly win, but it counts like the rest of them.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get the win.

SEGMENT 2: The bench comes through!

SEGMENT 3: Permanent change to the rotation?

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Is JJ Redick Coaching the Team He Wants, or the Team He Has?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 12 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The Lakers got thumped by San Antonio on Wednesday, and in what is becoming a trend for this Lakers squad, when they lose, they lose.

But this loss, more than others, seems to have created significant attention around the team, how it's constructed, and whether or not its flaws are correctable. Because the Spurs were faster than the Lakers, they put pressure on the defense the Lakers couldn't handle, and (more or less) kept them - and especially Austin Reaves - off the free throw line.

The Lakers are going to struggle to get faster. They're going to have to be a defensive team that becomes greater than the sum of its parts. That's often a tall task, especially in the postseason.

It also means JJ Redick needs to maximize what he has... and is he?

A lot of this conversation can be boiled down to two role players - Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt.

Should the Lakers finally pull the trigger on swapping Rui for Marcus Smart in the starting lineup? It would balance that group defensively in ways obvious even to podcast hosts. So why hasn't Redick pulled the trigger? And what about Vando, who is flawed but could at least in theory address some of the team's shortcomings, whether in defensive energy, offensive rebounding and general disruptiveness?

Clearly Redick doesn't believe in Vanderbilt, or that the tradeoffs he presents are worth it. But are there ways to get him into the lineup while mitigating those?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Why the loss to the Spurs seemed different.

SEGMENT 2: Looking at Rui. Is a lineup change needed?

SEGMENT 3: What about Vando?

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Too Slow Lakers Lose Big to San Antonio, 132-119. Austin Reaves Struggles Again...

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 07:20:00 +0000

The Lakers have been eliminated from NBA Cup play, losing to San Antonio in the quarterfinals Wednesday night at Crypto.

There wasn't much to love in this one. The Lakers got off to a decent enough start, but once San Antonio found their legs, the Lakers just couldn't keep up. Final score, 132-119.

The big issues were defensive, where the Lakers simply couldn't string together enough stops to hang with San Antonio, and then claw their way back into the game after falling behind. The Spurs were able to get out into transition, outscoring the Lakers badly on the break. They used their bench to help build a lead, outscoring the Lakers bench. They got to the free throw line more than the Lakers, which always represents a problem for a team that doesn't tend to win at the 3-point line.

Marcus Smart, back in the lineup, had a great shooting night (26 points, 8-14 from 3-point range), and whatever defensive spine the Lakers had came from him. LeBron James went for 19/15/8, and Luka Dončić finished with 35 points and eight assists. But Austin Reaves didn't have the bounceback game the Lakers needed after a clunker in Philly. Rui Hachimura didn't have the ball enough to make an impact.

But overall, it was a night where the team's deficiencies were on display. Too slow. Struggle to get points if they can't get to the line. Difficulty generating good looks. And major defensive problems.

Back to the drawing board.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Lakers get thumped, out of NBA Cup.

SEGMENT 2: Transition hurts.

SEGMENT 3: Was Rich Paul telling the truth?

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BONUS EPISODE: Redick, Ayton Discuss The Lakers' Strong Late-Game Defense

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:00:00 +0000

Twenty-three games into the season, by and large, the Lakers have been a fairly unimpressive defensive team. It's not necessarily a shock, given a roster that doesn't feature many plus-defenders, particularly among the players slated to log the most minutes. For the opening three quarters of contests, the Lakers often get by despite their defense, rather than through the strength of it.

However, once the fourth quarter begins, and especially in the last five minutes of games (otherwise known as "clutch time"), something pretty crazy has regularly taken place. The Lakers morph into a good defense. During clutch time, they become downright elite. The clutch time sample size (eight games) isn't massive, but it's hardly insignificant. Either way, it's very consistent and belies the opening 36 minutes of games. So what the hell is going on? How and why is this happening?

During Tuesday's Lakers practice, Locked On Lakers co-host Andy Kamenetzky asked JJ Redick and Deandre Ayton to share some thoughts, then offered some of his own.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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The Lakers Are at Full Strength Vs. San Antonio, Plus Rich Paul Speaks Candidtly about LeBron, Lakers

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Wednesday night's game against the Spurs at Crypto.com isn't just big because it's a Cup quarterfinal, and a victory means more $ for players and coaches with a chance for even bigger checks. It's also because San Antonio represents a major challenge for the Lakers, and an opportunity to send a message against a high level Western Conference team. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama won't be in uniform, as he's not quite ready to return to action following a calf strain. But two other exciting young players, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, have returned from injury.

So this game matters in the standings, and in the perceived pecking order out West.

Meanwhile, Rich Paul and Max Kellerman introduced their new podcast with an interview featuring... Rich Paul. And it was an interesting one, for sure. Paul spoke candidly about the Lakers and how they're run, what he thinks of their title chances, and what changes they might make in the long and short term.

Did he also do some major messaging at the Lakers on behalf of his most famous client?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Spurs are in town... but Wemby isn't active.

SEGMENT 2: Rich Paul speaks! Was he messaging? To whom?

SEGMENT 3: An interesting moment for the NBA.

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Is LeBron James Back After a Big Game on Sunday? Plus, Why Have the Lakers Been so Clutch?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 9 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

LeBron James bounced back with a huge game Sunday in Philadelphia. Does that mean he's back? What exactly does "back" mean for LeBron this year? Will it look different than last year? Than years before? It seems the Lakers are going to handle him with a little more care than the last two seasons, and with postseason awards likely out of reach (he won't hit the minimum game threshold) does that give the Lakers even more flexibility?

Plus... the Lakers are 8-0 in what the NBA defines as "clutch" games. Why exactly have they been so successful? The answer might surprise, given their broader profile.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: LeBron Is back, right? Right?

SEGMENT 2: What exactly does "back" mean, anyway?

SEGMENT 3: Why have the Lakers been so clutch?

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Huge Game From LeBron (29 points), Plus Luka Dončić Triple Double Gives Lakers Win In Philly

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 8 Dec 2025 05:45:00 +0000

The Lakers have had to scramble over the weekend to keep lineups on the floor, but Sunday the gang was (save Marcus Smart) back together.

Luka Dončić was back from Slovenia, where he was celebrating the birth of his daughter, and LeBron James was back in the lineup after missing Friday's game in Boston.

They certainly needed both. LeBron had, without question, his most impactful game since returning to the lineup, scoring early and late, hitting 12-17 from the floor, including 4-6 from 3-point range en route to 29 points. He added seven rebounds and six assists. Luka wasn't as efficient as he's been (international flights with a birth of a baby sandwiched in between will do that), but was hardly a bystander, finishing with 31/15/11, and hit the free throws to ice the game at the end.

Add in a tidy double double (14/12) from Deandre Ayton and three blocks from Jaxson Hayes, and it was enough to cover a brutal shooting effort from Austin Reaves and give the Lakers a 112-108 win against the Sixers to cap the road trip.

It was a big win, not just because it allows the Lakers to keep pace in the top half of the Western Conference, but also for the effort LeBron put out, and the lift it gave the team both tonight (they needed him badly) and more broadly. Because LeBron's play to this point has certainly been a major concern for Lakers fans. And while one game probably isn't enough to say James is back, it's enough to give people faith that this is what he's building back towards, and that once he's got his legs and timing fully back will look like something similar to the LeBron James we saw last year.

Great finish to the trip, and now it's back to Cup play as San Antonio (likely still without Victor Wembanyama) Wednesday night.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get big games from LeBron and Luka to win in Philly.

SEGMENT 2: A bounceback night for James.

SEGMENT 3: A huge week coming.

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Austin Reaves Scores 36, But Shorthanded Lakers Lose 126-105 in Boston

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sat, 6 Dec 2025 04:35:00 +0000

You can't fault the effort, whether from Austin Reaves (9-18, 36 points, eight assists) or the team in general. The Lakers were missing Luka Dončić, still away from the team, as well as LeBron James and Marcus Smart, and the Celtics came into Friday's game red hot.

In theory, nothing had to give, and it didn't.

The Lakers lose, 126-105.

There aren't that many takeaways in this one, to be honest. The Lakers ran into the same challenges they've faced in other games without Luka and LeBron, namely a lack of firepower and especially a lack of ballhandling and passing. Reaves had over half of the team's 15 assists. The only other player with more than one was... Drew Timme, who entered in garbage time.

Gabe Vincent got going a little offensively (18 points) which is good to see, and Nick Smith found a little offense as well. But mostly, the Lakers had to hope they caught Boston on an off night, then caught a little lightening in a bottle, given how effectively Boston defends. Didn't happen.

On to Philly, where Luka might be back, and LeBron should be in the lineup. Smart, TBD.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Austin Reaves Scores 44, Rui Hachimura Hits Game Winner, Lakers WIn 123-120

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 5 Dec 2025 06:15:00 +0000

Wow.

The Lakers, playing shorthanded in Toronto—no Luka Dončić (personal) and Marcus Smart (back)—against a 15--win Raptors squad, had to dig deep and stay resilient, and then ride some excellent performances to secure a big win, 123-120 on a game-winning triple from Rui Hachimura.

The star of the game was clearly Austin Reaves, who dropped 44 points and added 10 assists. He once again was enormous in a game where Luka wasn't available, and not just offensively. Reaves drew two critical fourth quarter charges, as well. Jake LaRavia played his best game in a while, with 14 points and seven rebounds, and had a massive block at the rim on what looked like a sure Raptors bucket. In a game this tight, those are game-changers. Deandre Ayton (17/8), Hachimura (12 points) and Nick Smith Jr. (12 points) also finished in double figures.

One guy who didn't? For the first time since 2007? LeBron James.

The shooting continues to be problematic. James was 4-17 from the floor, and missed all five of his free throws. But sitting on eight points on the game's last possession, James found Hachimura in the corner for the game winner. A poetic way for the streak to end, with James making the right basketball play, as he said after the game he's done since he picked up a ball.

With Boston looming Friday, and a lot of Lakers potentially on the sidelines—Luka is probably not going to be back yet, LeBron isn't yet cleared for back-to-backs, and it's hard to see Smart getting back—getting this win was huge.

Big picture, the Lakers are still waiting for James to get more LeBron-like. At some point, some of the shots he's missing seem likely to go in, even if the days of James getting anywhere he wants on the floor might be over. (And the passing skills aren't eroding in the slightest.) But on this night, at least, there was a little poetry for James on the game's final play.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers win on a buzzer beater from Rui. Reaves dominates.
SEGMENT 2: An incredible finish for LeBron's streak.
SEGMENT 3: Tough weekend coming.

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No Luka Dončić vs. Toronto, Does Giannis Really Want Out of Milwaukee, and Is He a Future Laker?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 4 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

First things first -- the Lakers will be shorthanded in Toronto Thursday evening, as Luka Dončić is away from the team for personal reasons, and Marcus Smart is still unable to suit up with back spasms. (There is a strong possibility both will miss Friday's game in Boston as well, but it's too early to say.)

So facing two quality teams in a back-to-back situation, the Lakers will need to dig deep. LeBron James presumably won't play in both games (the Lakers have made it clear he's not yet built up enough to play on consecutive days), but in the game he does play, the Lakers need a better version of James than the one they saw Monday against the Suns.

Austin Reaves has been big in these situations so far this season, but he'll need some help. Will Jake LaRavia step up? Deandre Ayton? Who will have the next Nick Smith Jr. Game?

Meanwhile, Giannis officially wants out of Milwaukee. The Lakers aren't exactly the most logical destination, given how non-competitive any offer they can make to the Bucks would be... but that won't stop the speculation! Is there any shot for the purple and gold? What does Giannis (presumably) coming off the market now mean for the Lakers' future plans? And what about Chris Paul, who is on the outs with the Clippers, unceremoniously cut in the middle of the night earlier this week.

Might CP3 FINALLY make an appearance in purple and gold?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: No Luka, no Smart, and a tough back-to-back coming.

SEGMENT 2: Giannis wants out. Where do the Lakers fit in?

SEGMENT 3: What about CP3?

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Is LeBron James "Stat Padding?" What Does His Role Look Like at (Almost) 41-Years Old?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 3 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

After (Monday's loss to Phoenix notwithstanding) feasting on a relatively soft portion of the schedule, the Lakers now embark on a challenging run of games, starting with three on the road (Toronto, Boston, Philly) followed by a home (Cup!) game against San Antonio.

One of the things that could push the Lakers through would be a surge of good play from LeBron James, who has looked pretty mid (especially by his standards) since returning to the lineup. Monday, he had to hustle to get to 10 points and keep his nearly career-long double digit scoring streak alive. He was accused by former NBA'er Chandler Parsons of "stat padding." Fair? Unfair?

And what exactly is LeBron's role on the team? More than anything else, he's just not asserting himself for stretches over the course of games. Is that a function of a new pecking order, led by Luka and an ascendant Austin Reaves? Is it a matter of Father Time FINALLY winning the battle against James? Of LeBron working his way into shape after missing not only training camp, but much of his ramp up to training camp?

Yes to all of it?

One thing's for sure - if the Lakers want to maximize their chances of going deep into the playoffs, they need to find a way to maximize James. If they don't, things could get significantly more challenging.

Finally, Rui Hachimura had some choice words about the distribution of touches in Monday's loss. Does he have a point?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Is LeBron padding his stats? Chandler Parsons says so!

SEGMENT 2: What's his role?

SEGMENT 3: Rui on touches.

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SEGMENT 3:

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Lakers Lack Energy and Focus, Can't Get Stops, Lose to Phoenix 125-108

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 2 Dec 2025 07:20:00 +0000

Sunday, the Lakers played a great first quarter and then three very, very ordinary ones. That was more than enough to beat the woeful New Orleans Pelicans, but it was pretty clear a better performance would be required Monday night to beat a Phoenix team that has been one of the NBA's better surprises.

Well, it didn't happen. Final score, Phoenix 125, Lakers 108. And this even after Suns star Devin Booker left the game after 10 minutes of play, with a groin injury.

The purple and gold were low on energy for most of the night, and after a decent first quarter simply couldn't get any stops. Meanwhile, the offense was disjointed and disorganized. Not so much from an efficiency standpoint (41-80 shooting), but 21 turnovers turned into 32 points for the Suns. Those TO's fueled a 28-2 advantage in fast break points for Phoenix. The Lakers had one steal, and didn't block a shot. Gotta get near the ball to block 'em, of course.

Luka Dončić put up 38 points on 15-26 shooting but also had nine turnovers. You can live with that, though, compared to extremely quiet nights from Austin Reaves (a backloaded 16 points) and LeBron James (11 points, 3-10). Rui Hachimura? One shot, no points, one rebound in 23 minutes.

That's not good.

It was a really poor end to what had been a fun seven game win streak, and reminds the Lakers they have a lot of work to do as the road trip begins in Toronto later this week.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers don't come to play, get blown out.

SEGMENT 2: LeBron has been awfully quiet.

SEGMENT 3: Changes the context around the road trip.

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Phoenix Suns-Los Angeles Lakers Mini-Preview: Suns Three-Point Shooting vs. Lakers Mid-Range

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 2 Dec 2025 01:05:00 +0000

A quick look at Monday's game between the Lakers and Suns, and how different areas on the floor could affect both teams offensively and defensively.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Luka Dončić (34 Points) and Austin Reaves (33 Points) Help the Lakers Cruise Past New Orleans, 133-121

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 1 Dec 2025 06:55:00 +0000

First and foremost, the Lakers understood the assignment playing against a very shorthanded version of a very bad New Orleans Pelicans squad. Come out fast, build a lead, and don't put yourself in position to give one away.

And that's what the Lakers did, finishing the first quarter with a 19-point lead, en route to a 133-121 win.

Luka Dončić finished with 34/12/7 on 9-22 from the floor. Austin Reaves had 33 points, on a highly efficient 9-15 shooting (including 4-7 from 3-point range), along with five rebounds and eight assists. Deandre Ayton, who did leave the game late after bumping knees down on the block, was fantastic, making seven of his nine shots as part of a 22-point, 12 rebound effort that also included four blocked shots. (LeBron James sat out the first night of the back-to-back, and is expected to play Monday vs. Phoenix.)

If there's a downside, it's that the Lakers, after building that significant lead, clearly threw it into cruise control. The lead never got back to single digits, but it also wasn't stretched out to the point where guys like Luka and Reaves could spend the fourth quarter in their sweats, getting an early start on their postgame maintenance work. With a game coming Monday against a surprisingly good Suns squad, that extra rest could have been beneficial.

Can't imagine the overall product impressed JJ Redick all that much, and the Lakers don't get high marks for going above and beyond, but they did play 48 minutes of unthreatened NBA basketball, have now won seven in a row.

Hard to complain too much.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers start hot, stay in control to beat Pelicans.

SEGMENT 2: No LeBron Sunday, expected to play Monday — Lakers send some signals on how they'll approach LBJ's health.

SEGMENT 3: Austin and Luka continue to thrive.

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Luka Dončić Drops 35, Austin Reaves 38 as Lakers Beat Dallas 129-119

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sat, 29 Nov 2025 07:15:00 +0000

It wasn't necessarily the sharpest effort the Lakers have put out all year, but it was more than good enough.

The Lakers used highly efficient nights from Luka Dončić (35 points on only 18 field goal attempts), Austin Reaves (12-15 from the floor, 6-8 from 3-point range, 38 points) and Deandre Ayton (8-9 from the floor) to push past Anthony Davis and the visiting Dallas Mavericks, 129-119. As a team, the Lakers shot nearly 60 percent from the floor. they were 21-26 from the line, and 18-35 from three. Clearly this was a very good offensive night against one of the better defensive teams in the West.

Defensively? The Lakers were less sharp, and some ill-timed TOs among their 14 helped the Mavs stick closer than maybe they should have. Some of the motion used by Dallas gave the Lakers some trouble, but overall when they needed stops to create some space, the Lakers got them.

They've won their Group in NBA Cup play, and will host the Spurs in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, they continue to stack up wins, with another opportunity coming Sunday against a bad Pelicans squad.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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The Return of Anthony Davis Is a Reminder of the Lakers' Incredible Good Fortune

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving! And if you need something to be thankful for, how about the incredible turn of good fortune that the Lakers have seen over the last year, thanks to the largesse of former Mavericks GM Nico Harrison, who (and it still defies explanation) gifted Luka Doncic to purple and gold.

That trade yanked the Lakers out of a purgatory where they were not going to be bad thanks to the LeBron James/Anthony Davis/Austin Reaves core, but they certainly weren't going to win a title, had no clear runway to a title, and had nothing but awful financial decisions to make around Davis particularly going forward. Plus, they were scared to tear it all down.

It was not going to be a fun few years... but now the Lakers have Luka and a remarkably clear future.

Thanks again, Nico. May you get a statue at Crypto, and honorary murals around town.

Finally, do the Lakers have a first quarter problem? (Spoiler alert... yes.) Is solving it as simple as swapping Marcus Smart for Rui Hachimura in the starting lineup, or would it be better if the pattern wasn't so dependent on Luka going nuclear?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: AD returns (probably) in uniform.

SEGMENT 2: What Davis symbolizes.

SEGMENT 3: The first quarter problem.

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Luka Dončić Scores 43, Lakers Beat Clippers 135-118, Win Group in NBA Cup

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The Lakers shooting woes have been well documented (on this show, and around Lakers Nation). For one night at least, that wasn't a problem, as the battle of LA goes to the purple and gold, 135-118.

Luka Dončić made his first five 3-pointers, and as a team the Lakers 45% from downtown (13-29).

The efficiency from the starters, though, was incredible. Luka, at a very tidy 14-28 had the worst FG% among the group. Together, they were 43-72, nearly 60%. The Lakers aren't going to lose many games when the starters shoot like that. Even when they allow the opponent to shoot 52% themselves. Luka was spectacular, finishing with 43 points, with nine boards and 13 assists. Austin Reaves used a hot second half to finish with 31 points, and LeBron James kicked in with 25/6/6.

Again, when the Big Three do that, the Lakers will be hard to beat. And if they can wrap in defense that looks more like what the Lakers managed in the fourth quarter (25 points for the LAC, vs. 38 in the first).

The Clippers' nose dive continues, while the Lakers improve to 13-4 and clinch their group in NBA Cup play. Solid Tuesday.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers best the Clips, pulling away in the 4th.

SEGMENT 2: Luka, Luka, Luka!

SEGMENT 3: Breaking free of shooting slump?

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Deandre Ayton Out for Tuesday's Game Vs. the Clippers... How Will the Offense Change?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The Lakers will be without starting center Deandre Ayton for Tuesday's game against the Clippers. And while that will certainly impact them on the defensive end, it's likely to have even more effect on how the Lakers try to score.

Ayton has been a key cog in the team's attack, providing high percentage shots near the bucket, along with a key for unlocking the mid-range spaces with his pick and pop ability. Without Ayton, the Lakers have Maxi Kleber and Jaxson Hayes available, plus (maybe) new two-way signing Drew Timme (fare ye well, Christian Koloko). Each has his strengths, but broadly speaking none can provide anything close to what Ayton has delivered. Not individually at least.

No word yet on how long Ayton might have to sit out, but hopefully the injury doesn't extend into Friday against Dallas, with Anthony Davis getting closer to game action.

Finding ways into the paint will be a little trickier, but what the Lakers don't want to do is rely solely on jump shooting, because those results haven't been good. One thing they might try to do more of without Ayton? Run. Get going faster in everything they do.

Finally, how might Ayton's absence impact the starting lineup? Is it as simple as "plug in Jaxson Hayes" and go from there?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers lose Ayton for at least a game.
SEGMENT 2: What changes with Ayton out.
SEGMENT 3: Can the shooting woes get fixed?

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Luka Doncic Scores 33, Deandre Ayton injured in Los Angeles Lakers Sloppy Win over Jazz

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 06:05:00 +0000

The Lakers are 12-4, and did in fact win Sunday's game in Utah, 108-106.

After that, there wasn't a ton to love, because this was a pretty ugly win. The Lakers continue to be a tremendously bad three point shooting team. Sunday, their top three players, Luka Donćić, Austin Reaves and LeBron James were a combined 4-24 from 3-point range. That obviously isn't getting it done, and the struggle isn't exactly new for this squad.

And it emphasizes how good the Lakers have been inside the arc. Luka, especially continues to draw tons of whistles, as does Reaves. And it also emphasizes how important shot selection is for the Lakers, given their potential defensive limitations. Poor shot selection off an imbalanced floor can leave them vulnerable for transition buckets.

And it reminds folks that the Lakers are winning games with numbers you could either find encouraging—a lot of stuff that should improve over time—or might lead you to think they might not be as good as the record indicates.

One big part of that strong mark has been Deandre Ayton, who didn't play in the second half Sunday because of a knee contusion. JJ Redick had very little to say about it after the game, so it's too early to say they'll be without him for any length of time, but if they are it would be a real loss for the Lakers. Maxi Kleber played well Sunday, and Jaxson Hayes has done his job admirably this year, but neither brings what Ayton does, whether as a scorer or a rebounder.

So it's wait and see.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers win, but it's not pretty.
SEGMENT 2: The shooting woes continue.
SEGMENT 3: Ayton hurt.

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Joey and Jesse Buss Fired as Lakers Shake Up Basketball Operations

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

A sleepy Thursday in El Segundo got a LOT busier when it was revealed (by the brothers telling ESPN) that Joey and Jesse Buss, who ran the South Bay Lakers and the scouting apparatus, respectively, had been fired by the team.

No announcement was made by the Lakers, and the two of them were reportedly told of their dismissal by the team's CFO, not (former) owner Jeanie Buss or GM Rob Pelinka. Later in the afternoon, Jesse Buss spoke with The Athletic's Dan Woike, and didn't really hold back. While he come off as angry or petty (though surely at least he was the former), Jesse Buss took some real shots at his sister and Pelinka, and also distanced himself from what are seen as some of the lesser decisions made by the scouting department over the last couple of years.

There are two levels to this - first, the palace intrigue and signs of what this says about the remaining powers that be, and of course how new owner Mark Walter plans to manage all of it. The other half is what comes next for the basketball operations end with the Lakers, because they're going to need a new scouting department ASAP (a bunch of personnel were let go as well). Will they build back bigger and better, faster? Who will do the hiring there? Will it ultimately mean more power for Pelinka?

We'll see, but at least outwardly it reads like the first example of Walter exerting some control over the organizational structure, and while it kinda sucks for the Buss brothers, long simmering tensions between them and the Pelinka/Jeanie half of the basketball operation was simply untenable, and it sounds like they had an inkling something like this could be coming.

In the meantime, it's a move that basically puts a wrap on the Dr. Buss era, as the structure he set up for after his passing has been almost totally dismantled. Jim and Johnny Buss are long gone, and now his younger sons are out, too. Jeanie is still there, but she doesn't own the team anymore, and is ultimately not the shot caller.

End of an era.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Jesse and Joey Buss, fired!

SEGMENT 2: Why? What went wrong?

SEGMENT 3: What comes next?

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How Does LeBron's Return to the Lineup Impact Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The Lakers have first world problems. They now have to figure out how to integrate LeBron James into a pairing of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves that has developed strong chemistry in the 14 games that James missed with sciatica.

There is at least some question of how they'll do it, and whether or not there just aren't enough basketballs, and all the other arguments that are typically made by observers, for reasons that might be valid... and for reasons that might not. How it looks on the floor is still something of a work in progress, where the team has to figure out how to get the maximum output out of three guys with elite level capabilities as distributors. What will be everyone's role? Can they create some clear delineations, even while acknowledging some overlap in skill sets?

It's a fun challenge for the coaching staff, and an important one because ultimately the team's ceiling is as high as these three guys can make it. And some of the team's defensive shortcomings can be mitigated by an offense that consistently gets good shots, in rhythm, and makes a lot of them. One that gets to the free throw line, and limits transition opportunities.

Did Tuesday's win give meaningful signals on what is to come?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: LeBron's back, what's changing?

SEGMENT 2: Can the Big Three work effectively together?

SEGMENT 3 : A challenge for the staff.

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LeBron Returns, Dishes 12 Assists, Luka Doncic Scores 37 in Lakers Win!

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 07:50:00 +0000

The Lakers had to wait until Game 15 to see it happen, but LeBron James finally played his first game of his 23rd NBA season, and while it took a sec to get going, once it did, the results were great.

LeBron was integral to a second half push that turned what had been a close game into a relative blowout, as the Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 140-126 at Crypto.com Arena. LeBron was quiet from a scoring standpoint (11 points) but was a terror as a distributor, finishing with 12 dimes and setting up a series of buckets for the Lakers as they pulled away.

Of course, he wasn't alone. Luka Dončić finished with 37 points on 11-22 shooting, plus 10 assists and four steals. Austin Reaves, 26 points. Deandre Ayton, 20 points and 14 boards. Now the Lakers get a few days of practice and rest before heading to Utah for a game on Sunday. They could use the time to refine the defense now that everyone is available (Gabe Vincent returned to the lineup, as well), because if there was something to criticize on Tuesday, that would be it. The Lakers allowed 71 points in the first half, and while they tightened up in the third into the fourth (Utah got some buckets after the game was out of reach, they're going to need to be better on that side of the ball.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers win in LeBron's return.

SEGMENT 2: LeBron's impact.

SEGMENT 3: What can they work on this week?

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Could LeBron James Make His Season Debut Tuesday? Who Leaves the Starting Lineup?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

JJ Redick has some first world problems to deal with. LeBron James is on his way back, and after practicing Monday in El Segundo could make his season debut Tuesday night against the Jazz. But even if that has to wait until Sunday's rematch in Utah, the Lakers are basically whole for the first time this year. (Not only was LBJ on the practice floor Monday, Gabe Vincent was as well.)

So now JJ has to make some choices about his lineup, most notably, who starts?

The Lakers will obviously put Luka Dončić, LeBron, Deandre Ayton and (despite the protests of a vocal minority of Lakers fans who think he should come off the bench...) Austin Reaves. So does Rui Hachimura sit, or Marcus Smart?

Smart seems to make the most sense on paper, given the way he evens out the team defensively, even while compromising some of the spacing at the other end. On the other hand, Rui has been good this season, is easily the team's best shooter, and small p politics tends to say that players don't lose a spot they have unless it's performance based.

Again, first world problems for Redick, but something he'll obviously have to figure out.

HOST: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: LeBron practices!

SEGMENT 2: Does he play Tuesday?

SEGMENT 3: Who sits when LeBron is back?

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LeBron James Returns to Practice Monday, as Opportunity Knocks for the Lakers

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The Lakers finished their five game road trip in fine form, beating up the Bucks in Milwaukee.

Now they return home to some good news, with LeBron James expected to return to practice Monday. Whether he plays Tuesday at home against the Jazz remains an open question, but if he doesn't, barring any sort of setback it's a pretty safe bet he'll play on Sunday in Utah. Not only does that long stretch between games give LeBron a chance to gain a little more strength and fitness, it also lets the Lakers get some practice time in, and shore up any slippage on both sides of the ball. This ahead of what is a very winnable stretch of games between now and the end of the month. 4-2 over their next six is achievable, for sure.

That would leave them at 14-6 heading out for a long December road trip, positioned well to establish themselves in the West's top four over the long haul.

One big reason the team has played so well despite multiple players in and out of the lineup is the performance of Deandre Ayton. Averaging over 16 points and 8 rebounds a game on nearly 70% shooting (with a block per night) Ayton has been exactly what the Lakers hoped. The effort and energy has been there on a nightly basis. So what has helped.

There's a good argument to be made for the importance of context. His role in LA, and the expectations around his arrival, are completely different than anything he's had over the course of his career. We explain.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: LeBron to practice on Monday.
SEGMENT 2: Opportunity knocks through the end of the month.
SEGMENT 3: Why Ayton is thriving.

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Best Win of the Year? Dončić (41 Points) and Reaves (25 Points) Push Lakers Past Bucks, 119-95

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 04:50:00 +0000

Now THAT'S more like it. The Lakers—playing the second night of a back-to-back and coming off a good, but not exactly inspiring win in New Orleans—came out of the gate red hot and sharp in Milwaukee, using high end offense and excellent defense to build a 30-point lead on the home team in the first half.

That was the best combination of offense and defense the Lakers have played all year. In the end, the Lakers absorbed a third quarter run from the Bucks and never let the lead drop back to single digits. Final score, 119-95. Luka Dončić led the way with 41 points, nine rebounds and six dimes. Austin Reaves was 9-17 from the floor en route to 25 points, with six boards and eight assists. Deandre Ayton played another strong game, with 20/10 and strong defense often matched up against Giannis.

Good minutes as well (especially in the first half) for Dalton Knecht, Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber, and Adou Thiero made his NBA debut (and left with a game ball after the Lakers basically refused to leave the floor without it).

All in all, a GREAT finish to a road trip that got off to a terrible start and looked very much in peril after the Lakers got waxed by OKC. They'll take the floor Tuesday, perhaps with LeBron on the floor, then won't play again until Sunday. So some rest and some good practice time is in store for a team with a tidy 10-4 record.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Austin Reaves (31 Points), Luka Dončić (24 Points) Help Disjointed Lakers Beat Pelicans 118-104

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 05:05:00 +0000

It wasn't a nailbiter, it wasn't a disaster, it wasn't a dominant performance. The Lakers came to play, but they didn't necessarily play well. Final score against a very, very bad New Orleans team, 118-104.

Austin Reaves led the Lakers in scoring, with 31 points, using 13 trips to the free throw line to push the attack. Luka Dončić wasn't efficient (6-16) but did finish with 24 points and a healthy 12 assists against three turnovers. Deandre Ayton (10-11, 20 points, 16 rebounds with a two steals and a block) was probably the team's most consistent player.

The Lakers certainly got the job done, but what looked in the first 12 minutes or so like it would be a very strong performance where they put the Pelicans away early became something different. New Orleans went on a couple big runs fueled by 3-pointers, and the Lakers seemed to fall in and out of rhythm offensively.

All in all, a far better effort than the opening game of the trip in Atlanta, and you could argue the hot start letting them play from way ahead makes it better than the Charlotte game. But they'll need more to beat Milwaukee on Saturday.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Why Friday's Mid-November Game in New Orleans Is a Must Win for the Lakers

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

JJ Redick laid it out plainly - the Lakers have been lousy thus far on their first extended road trip of the season.

As a reminder, they forgot to show up against a wildly shorthanded Hawks squad. Then they played one good half of hoops to bury a terrible (and shorthanded) Hornets team. They lost in Oklahoma City by a billion. It's not been a fun tour of the country thus far. And so the Pelicans, who will be without Jordan Poole and Zion Williamson and have only won two games this season and have the West's worst point differential, are a team they should be able to beat even without their best effort.

But given how things are going, and with Milwaukee looming on Saturday, their best effort is what the Lakers nonetheless should deliver. Not just to get everyone off their feet and resting for the second night of the back to back, but because the Lakers need to get back in the habit of executing well. That's what they'll need to finish the trip strong against the Bucks.

The good news is that LeBron is working his way back, going through a pair of practices with South Bay, and nearing a return with the big club. If not Tuesday night against Utah, perhaps in the team's next game, which would come five nights later against the Jazz in Salt Lake City.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: JJ Redick is not pleased.

SEGMENT 2: What went wrong in OKC, and why.

SEGMENT 3: Why Friday is a must win.

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The Lakers Get Crushed by the Thunder in Oklahoma City... What Lessons Learned?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 06:40:00 +0000

First and foremost, the Thunder are awesome. What they did Wednesday night to the Lakers in Oklahoma City they've basically done to every team they've played this season. It's why they've lost only once and have a point differential that is the league's best and went up considerably after the Thunder beat the Lakers 121-92.

LA was overmatched from the start, and never found their way into the game. The primary differentiator in this one was OKC's defense—fueled by their absurd athleticism and wealth of high end defenders—which was suffocating and made life impossible for Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. As those guys struggled with inefficiency, the Thunder were able to generate whatever looks they wanted.

Seven Thundarians finished in double figures. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was dominant. So was Chet Holmgren, and Ajay Mitchell did great work.

This is a team that's simply better than the Lakers, who need someone like LeBron in order to be competitive with a team at this level. Of course, the Thunder played without Lu Dort and Jaylen Williams, the latter of whom hasn't played a minute this season.

In some ways, the Thunder did the Lakers a favor. They came out, played well, and exposed every area in which the Lakers must improve. There was nothing subtle about it.

Now we'll see how the Lakers respond.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get throttled in Oklahoma City.

SEGMENT 2: Bad nights for Luka, Reaves.

SEGMENT 3: What we learned...

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How the Lakers Can Beat the Thunder in OKC, Plus, Nico Harrison Fired in Dallas

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The Lakers have a big game tonight in Oklahoma City against a Thunder squad that is throttling the NBA, even while All NBA forward Jaylen Williams hasn't played a single minute this year. Chet Holmgren has missed time, as has Lu Dort. Doesn't matter.

The Thunder have been incredibly good defensively, for starters, and that doesn't change when the lineup shuffles around. (The offense does, but that's a different story.) So the Lakers have to figure out how to navigate an incredibly disruptive defense that can out-athlete them all over the floor. Of course, that was the situation last year, too, and the post-trade Lakers played Oklahoma City very competitively, to the point some wondered if they should have been trying to draw OKC in the playoffs.

Can the Luka Dončić/Austin Reaves combo repeat last year's success, with LeBron on the sidelines? If so, that would add some serious legitimacy to this early season start for LA.

Meanwhile in Dallas, the hammer finally dropped on Nico Harrison. The GM who traded Luka to LA is out of a job, after the Mavs struggled post-deadline last year, and have been awful to start this season. Fans have been chanting Fire Nico! at every home game, and the situation became untenable. But it also means the Mavs could be broken up, and if that happens, where those pieces land could play a huge role in the playoff race.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: LA vs. OKC!

SEGMENT 2: How the Lakers can pull an upset.

SEGMENT 3: Thank you, Nico!

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Reaves Returns, Luka Scores 38 Points, as Lakers Beat Hornets 121-111!

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 04:20:00 +0000

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get Reaves back, a big night from Luka... and a win.
SEGMENT 2: Rui Hachimura's big third quarter.
SEGMENT 3: The Marcus Smart Experience.

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Does Luka Dončić Need Austin Reaves to Play His Most Efficient Basketball?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

As poorly as the Lakers played Saturday in Atlanta, we'll get a quick idea of whether or not they learned a lesson. Because the Lakers now head into Charlotte, who like the Hawks are missing a bunch of key players, including LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.

When whole, the Hawks are a good team in the East, but should have been beaten without so many key players. The Hornets are terrible no matter who is playing for them. And without two of their stars, plus a questionable Miles Bridges, there is simply no excuse for the Lakers not to win.

One thing that will help, aside from effort, is a more efficient Luka Dončić. While his overall numbers remain elite and he's still playing great, Luka has also had a few of his less efficient games, from a shooting perspective. Would a healthy Austin Reaves, listed as questionable fior this game but expected to be available at some point on the trip, help bring that efficiency back up?

It certainly wouldn't hurt. And the Lakers more broadly would very much love to see more of those two on the floor before LeBron James comes back in a week or two. Because even if LeBron plays well and improves the team upon coming back (which is a very, very reasonable supposition) the Lakers will nonetheless have big decisions to make next year about James, even if he wants to return.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers may get Austin Reaves back in the lineup.

SEGMENT 1: Why has Luka's efficiency dipped?

SEGMENT 3: Why it matters if AR plays well in the season.

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Lakers No-Show In Atlanta, Lose 122-102. Reaves Hopes to Return During Trip...

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sun, 9 Nov 2025 06:15:00 +0000

The Lakers, even without LeBron James and Austin Reaves—who continues to nurse a groin injury—had a golden opportunity to keep momentum going Saturday in Atlanta, against a Hawks team missing Trae Young, Jalen Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kristaps Porzingis. Most of their available players were folks only die hards and serious fantasy players would know.

Maybe the Lakers thought it would be easy? Because this was easily their worst effort since the opener. Final score, 122-102, and honestly it wasn't that close.

The Lakers were inattentive all night, particularly on defense. They turned the ball over far too often, making life easier for the Hawks.

On the plus side for LA, Luka Dončić got to sit down early, Jarred Vanderbilt had 18 rebounds and Maxi Kleber made his way back onto the floor.

But that's about it. Bad start to the trip, and now the Lakers really need to crank things up in Charlotte on Monday, then through the more challenging portion of the trip, In OKC and Milwaukee.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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LeBron James Resumes Basketball Activities. What Happens When He Returns?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 7 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The Lakers released some good news Thursday. LeBron James has resumed full contact basketball activities, and will be re-evaluated in another week or two. Keep in mind, he missed all of training camp, and the last bit of run up heading into camp, so James is definitely behind in his fitness. He needs to make sure he's fully prepared to play before stepping back on an NBA court.

He won't accompany the team on the upcoming road trip, and that's actually a good sign. It means he can really intensify the ramp up. The earliest then he could return is November 18th.

So what happens when he comes back? How will he fit in with a group that is playing very well? Will there be disruption? Maybe some. Will there be drama? Not the kind you might be thinking of, at least. What it should do is make the Lakers better, and provide Luka Dončić with a lot more support. His workload should come down a little, and there's less to go around as you move down the pecking order. But we're talking about adding a second team All NBA player from a year ago, the guy who finished 6th in MVP voting.

Don't overthink it. LeBron getting close to a return is a very, very good thing.

One big reason there won't be drama? Because this team is having a ton of fun. The vibes are quite strong. Lakers fans are enjoying watching them play, and that's in part because the Lakers themselves are enjoying themselves, too. One big reason: They've got the best version of Luka playing in purple and gold.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers give a LeBron update.

SEGMENT 2: What will the Lakers look like when LeBron comes back?

SEGMENT 3: Why are the Lakers having so much fun?

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Lakers Limit Wemby, Luka Dončić, Deandre Ayton Lead LA to Win Over San Antonio

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Thu, 6 Nov 2025 07:50:00 +0000

Playing without Austin Reaves (along with the already injured LeBron James) the Lakers faced a tough game Wednesday against a one-loss San Antonio squad, led by Victor Wembanyama.

It was, by everyone's account, an ugly, choppy and loooooooooong game with eleventybillion free throws, but in the end the Lakers found a way to win, grinding out a 118-116 victory to run their record to 7-2 on the season.

Luka Dončić finished one rebound short of another triple double, and while it wasn't his most efficient game of the year (9-27 from the floor) Luka was still critically important to the win, and was facing a ton of pressure from the Spurs. Luka was supported by another excellent game from Deandre Ayton, who finished with 22 points on 9-13 shooting, and kicked in with 10 rebounds and a pair of blocks. Marcus Smart was huge defensively (no surprise) and while he missed six of his seven threes, made it to the free throw line 10 times and made them all. Rui Hachimura had some clutch buckets. Jaxson Hayes had nine off the bench.

And overall, the Lakers continue to show a level of grit and physicality that is serving them well. They basically bullied Wemby into, at best, his second worst game of the year.

Another great win for a team that's starting to build something very positive.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers beat San Antonio 118-116.

SEGMENT 2: The Lakers bully Victor Wembenyama.

SEGMENT 3: Deandre Ayton continues to thrive.

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How Much Credit Should Rob Pelinka Get For LA's Strong 6-2 Start?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Wed, 5 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

The Lakers are playing well. They've won six of eight without LeBron in the lineup. Luka Donćić has missed four games, and the Lakers have won three. The new guys, most notably Jake LaRavia, Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton are all making very strong early season contributions. so while a lot of attention has rightly gone to the production Luka is putting forth when he does play, or the incredibly high level Austin Reaves has been performing, it's worth making sure any discussion of the strong start gives credit to GM Rob Pelinka - not the most favored man in LA, typically.

So what does he get credit for? Can he claim the Ayton signing as one that required him to do some serious GMing? What about Smart or Ayton? Were those more lucky (unexpected buyout market) or excellent work or both?

What about LaRavia? He's in a different category for sure.

What's important, too, is that the answer this year can be "yes," but not necessarily represent a bet on Pelinka's ability to shrewdly build rosters down the road.

Meanwhile, It's Lakers vs. Spurs Wednesday night. Luka should available, but Austin Reaves might miss another game with a groin injury. Dylan Harper is out for the Spurs, as is De'Aaron Fox. So it won't quite be what fans wanted to see if those guys can't play... but honestly as long as Wemby is available many ticket paying Lakers fans will get to see what they want.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers are good! Is that because of Rob Pelinka?

SEGMENT 2: Credit . Does he get some?

SEGMENT 3: Lakers vs. Spurs: What to watch.

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No Luka, No Reaves: Hachimura, Ayton & Nick Smith Jr. (!!!) Lead Lakers to Win In Portland

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Tue, 4 Nov 2025 07:05:00 +0000

The Lakers came into the game Monday in Portland without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, getting the night off after beating Miami Sunday at home. LeBron James is still on the sidelines. Gabe Vincent is still hurt. So a lot -- a lot -- of star power and rotation depth was in street clothes.

So if you were expecting a blowout, you were almost right... but probably not in the way you expected. The Lakers used a very strong second half to pull away from the Blazers, winning 123-115. Huge games from Deandre Ayton in his return to Portland (29 points on 14-19 shooting, plus 10 rebounds and three blocks), Rui Hachimura (10-15, for 28 points) and Nick Smith Jr., pressed into action and allowed to cook, finishing with 25 points 10-15 shooting. those three provided the buik of the scoring, but they weren't the only contributors.

Bronny James had his best game as a pro, with six assists, a steal and very sold defense against the Blazers. Jake LaRavia had 11/5/6. Marcus Smart didn't shoot efficiently, but set a strong defensive tone, contributing to three steals.

It was a fantastic win for a shorthanded Lakers team building all sorts of confidence, and piling up important wins even with key pieces missing.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Lakers win in Portland, even without stars.

SEGMENT 2: Team effort.

SEGMENT 3: What these victories do for the team.

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Another Triple-Double for Luka Dončić, LaRavia Scores 25, Lakers Beat Miami 130-120

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Mon, 3 Nov 2025 06:45:00 +0000

The Lakers came home on a quick trip, facing a stronger-than-expected Miami Heat squad looking to add some legitimacy to their solid start to the season.

It was an entertaining, fast paced game, but one the Lakers kept control of, pulling away at the end for a 130-120 win.

Luka Dončić led the way with yet another triple-double (29/11/10, along with three steals), and Austin Reaves had 26 (to go with 11 assists of his own), but neither guy was efficient from 3-point range (5-25 between them). No worries, the rest of the team had them covered. Rui Hachimura hit three of his five attempts, Marcus Smart had three, and Jake LaRavia had two. Even Jaxson Hayes had one!

LaRavia was spectacular overall, again getting big minutes in the absence of Deandre Ayton (back) and scoring 25 points, to go with eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. (As a team, the Lakers finished with 14 thefts.) The supporting cast was quite strong overall, a needed boost given how Reaves and Luka struggled from downtown.

The Lakers piled up assists, and kept the turnovers down (11), and were efficient from the line (19-23). Now it's on to Portland, where the Lakers will face the Blazers Monday night.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Lakers knock off Miami despite inefficient shooting from Luka, Reaves.

SEGMENT 2: LaRaviaMania!

SEGMENT 3: Other important standouts...

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Luka Dončić Scores 44 in Return to Lineup, Lakers Beat Memphis 117-112

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Sat, 1 Nov 2025 05:20:00 +0000

The Lakers got a Halloween treat Friday when Luka Dončić and Marcus Smart were upgraded to probable ahead of their game in Memphis, and man alive, did it turn into quite a fright for the Grizzlies.

Luka dropped a smooth 44 in his return, to go along with 12 rebounds and six assists. He was, once again, incredible, in MVP form.

The Lakers, meanwhile, got supporting performances from Jake LaRavia and Jaxson Hayes off the bench, and Smart helped set a tone defensively in a second half where the Lakers held Memphis to 43 points.

So coming home to face a Miami squad that has played surprisingly well to start the year, the Lakers move to 4-2 and weathered what looked a week ago like it might be a very, very tough stretch of games with Luka expected to miss more time than he did, and the Lakers facing some tough opposition.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Lakers say Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart Probable to Play Against Grizzlies!

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 19:55:00 +0000

The recent updates and news about the health of Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart were certainly trending towards an impending return to action, with Smart seemingly more likely to suit up tonight in Memphis vs. the Grizzlies. But as it turns out... both have been upgraded to probable, which in all likelihood means they'll be taking the court.

For obvious reasons, this is great news. The team needs more ball-handlers (and bodies). Austin Reaves, incredible as he's played while holding down the fort, needs more help. JJ Redick needs more optionality. The Lakers need to capitalize on a relatively soft opening to their schedule. The timing couldn't be any better.

Hosts: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Mark Walter Takes Over as Lakers Owner... What Does That Mean for Jeanie, Rob and the Lakers?

lockedonpodcasts@gmail.com (Locked On Podcast Network) — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0000

For the first time in more than 46 years, the Lakers are run by a person whose last name is not Buss."

The Mark Walter Era is officially among us. Lakers fans will be watching intently for signs of change to both the day to day operations of the Lakers as a business and (more importantly for most) basketball team but change is going to come, it's just a matter of when. In the meantime, what are the things people expect to see?

How much control will Jeanie Buss, who remains as the team's governor, actually have? Is the job already slightly different than earlier reporting suggested it might be?

The Lakers got some decent news Thursday, when it was announced that Luka Dončić is questionable for tonight's game in Memphis. Doesn't mean he'll play, but it does mean he's physically trending in the right direction and if all goes according to plan, Sunday at home against Miami.

Marcus Smart is also listed as questionable.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: New ownership for the Lakers

SEGMENT 2: Will we see the difference?

SEGMENT 3: Luka nearing a return?