The Lakers said they collectively got smacked in the mouth by the blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in their first-round series opener. Game 2 was all about their response — and LeBron James loved his team’s tenacity.

Luka Doncic had 31 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, and the Lakers fought back to even their series with Minnesota with a 94-85 victory Tuesday night.

“We looked at what we didn’t do so well, which is a lot of things in Game 1,” said James, who scored 21 points and made a key steal in the fourth quarter. “We took it to heart, held each other accountable and had a much better result.”

Game 3 is Friday night in Minneapolis.

Austin Reaves added 16 for the third-seeded Lakers, who jumped to an early 22-point lead and hung on through a physical matchup with sixth-seeded Minnesota.

We Played With Urgency: JJ Redick

Los Angeles scored only 60 points in the final three quarters, but the Wolves never got closer than nine points. Coach JJ Redick was proud of his players’ response — even if he had to unload on them in the fourth quarter during a profanity-laden timeout to maintain their focus down the stretch.

“I think tonight was just more about getting that urgency button switched back on,” Redick said.

Julius Randle scored 27 points and Anthony Edwards had 25 for the Timberwolves, who lost most of their offensive fluidity from Game 1. Edwards said the Lakers’ defensive adjustments made it “kind of hard” on him.

“The way that they’re guarding us, when I catch the ball, they kind of go zone, and when I try to attack a gap, it’s like three people,” Edwards said. “I’ve just got to make my decisions a little quicker, and we’ll be all right.”

James added 11 rebounds and seven assists for the Lakers, who never lost control of a chippy, choppy game with 46 personal fouls and multiple video reviews. James and Hachimura both took hard shots to the face, and Hachimura donned a second mask after halftime.

The Wolves hit 21 3-pointers while blowing out the Lakers 117-95 in Game 1. Los Angeles went up by 19 in the first quarter of Game 2 while Doncic exploited isolations on Rudy Gobert.

“We knew they would come with high intensity, with energy,” Randle said. “We knew it was going to be physical. … We were stagnant, missed open looks, missed layups. They were just in a rhythm.”

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Doncic’s emotional return came two months after a seismic trade out of nowhere that sent the five-time All-Star to Los Angeles. The 26-year-old star from Slovenia spent his first 5 1/2 seasons with the Mavericks, and still had two seasons left on his contract.

The 45 points matched Doncic’s season high — he did that once for Dallas and one other time for the Lakers. He also had eight rebounds, six assists and four steals.

LeBron James had 13 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, when the Lakers fell behind before a strong finish.

Anthony Davis, who went from the Lakers to Dallas in the Doncic heal, had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Naji Marshall led the Mavs with 23 points and eight assists.

Takeaways

The Lakers remained third in the Western Conference standings after their third game in four days. They came to Dallas after splitting a pair of games at Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City.

Dallas (38-42) is guaranteed a losing record a year after making the NBA Finals. The Mavs are still in position to finish 10th and make the play-in tournament.

Key Moment

James’s three-point play with 8:10 left broke an 87-all tie and put the Lakers ahead to stay, and he added a layup 34 seconds later. That came after Dallas’ 15-2 run.

Key Stat

James’ 1,561st career regular-season game moved him past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for sole possession of second place on the NBA list. Only Robert Parrish with 1,611 has more than the 40-year-old James. It was his 418th game in seven seasons with the Lakers, after 849 games with Cleveland and 294 with Miami.

Up Next

Both teams play their regular-season home finales Friday night, when the Mavericks take on Toronto, and the Lakers host Houston.

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The Lakers’ defense made a token appearance in the first half against Orlando on Monday night. But then, Los Angeles failed to guard the Magic’s Franz Wagner or Paolo Banchero and lost their third straight game, 118-106.

“I think we should look back to the way we played in that eight-game winning streak (Feb. 20-March 6),” said Luka Doncic, who led the Lakers with 32 points in the loss. “I think we got a little bit satisfied, and we can’t afford that.”

The Lakers’ roster was back at full strength on Saturday, when LeBron James returned from a seven-game absence due to a groin strain and Rui Hachimura was back after missing 12 games with a knee injury.

But, Los Angeles was routed at home that night, falling 146-111 to the Chicago Bulls.

Monday’s Outcome the Same

Monday night wasn’t quite as bad — but the outcome was the same.

“There’s a couple guys, maybe from the schedule or from being out of the lineup, that just look tired,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “That happens periodically throughout a season when a group gets tired. That’s what it feels like right know. We weren’t able to sustain our level of intensity we started the game with.”

The Lakers sent on the eight-game winning streak shortly after acquiring Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 2.. Since then, injuries — most notably to James — have set in, and they have lost seven of 10.

Redick said it might be a matter of better communication and getting the new rotation back into a rhythm. But, the defensive letdowns in the last two games have been concerning.

“We’ve got to get back to who we are, focusing on that,” the coach said. “I think because of the lack of court time, prioritizing rest over shoot-arounds and walk-throughs over the last couple of weeks, we’ve just developed some really bad habits defensively. That came to fruition.

“And there’s always some weird stuff that happens at this time of the year. To give up 81 points (to the Bulls) in a half, and have our worst defensive game of the season when we were whole, was disappointing.”

Wagner, who scored 32 points, and Banchero, who added 30, got to their spots on the floor and did what they wanted in the second half Monday night, and the Lakers couldn’t stop them.

“This team is built around those two, and trying to stop them is really hard,” Doncic said. “I think we started the game (well). We played great defense and they made some tough shots., The way we played the first half, we have to play that way the whole 48 minutes.”

Despite being the lowest scoring team in the NBA, the Magic shot 49.4% (42 for 85) and had just nine turnovers. The Lakers blocked one shot.

“They scored 118 points. That’s not good enough in today’s NBA,” said Austin Reaves. “We’ve got to figure out how to do better, especially with switching.”

“In the third quarter we let our offense affect our defense,” Doran Finney-Smith said. “It’s up to us. We’ve got to hold each other accountable. We’ve got to put together a 48-minute game.”

The post Lakers Have a Full Roster Back on the Floor, yet Their Defense Is Missing in 3rd Straight Loss appeared first on GV Wire.

Austin Reeves added 23 points and Luka Doncic had 21 points and 13 rebounds to help the Lakers improve to 14-3 since Jan. 21.

Terrence Shannon Jr. led Minnesota with a career-high 25 points. The Timberwolves have dropped three of four and five of seven.

The Timberwolves were able to rally back despite All-Star guard Anthony Edwards being ejected with 5:27 remaining in the third quarter after picking up his second technical foul.

Edwards threw the ball into the stands after being ejected. If both technical fouls are upheld, he will be suspended one game for picking up 16 technicals this season.

Edwards, who is fourth in the league in scoring at 27.3 points per game, had 18 points.

Minnesota was down 92-77 less than three minutes into the fourth quarter before it made a 13-1 run.

Doncic though stifled the Timberwolves’ momentum by making an off-balance 3-pointer with 3:37 remaining and while the shot clock was winding down to put the Lakers up 98-91.

Takeaways

Timberwolves: Minnesota overcame a 25-point, second-half deficit Monday night to defeat Oklahoma City, but could not pull off a miraculous comeback for the second straight game.

Lakers: A 3-pointer by James gave the Lakers a 47-24 lead early in the second quarter before the Timberwolves started to slowly come back.

Key Moment

Doncic had five assists, including a cross court pass to James early in the first quarter, who finished it off with a layup to give the Lakers a 9-3 advantage.

Key Stat

The 17 rebounds by James ties a season high.

Up Next

Both teams play Friday night. The Timberwolves are at Utah, and the Lakers host the Clippers.

The post Lakers Hold Off Timberwolves to Win Fourth Straight Game appeared first on GV Wire.

LeBron James finished with 24 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, Austin Reaves scored 22 and the Lakers got their sixth straight win.

Doncic, acquired in a shocking trade from the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 2, played for the first time since sustaining a calf strain on Christmas. He was limited to just under 24 minutes as a precaution and was able to sit out the fourth quarter with his new team in complete control, but still had several standout moments to help the surging Lakers get their 12th victory in 14 games.

Buoyed by its new superstar, Los Angeles had seven players reach double figures, shot a blistering 54.3% from the floor and led by as many as 34.

Even a young superstar could feel the magnificence of the moment.

“I was a little nervous before,” Doncic said. “I (don’t remember) the last time I was nervous before the game. But once I stepped on the court again, it was fun. Just being out there, it felt amazing.”

Lauri Markkanen and John Collins each scored 17 points for the Jazz, who have dropped nine in a row on the road.

Takeaways

Jazz: Head coach Will Hardy said before the game that he hoped his young team would embrace the unusual circumstances, but Utah struggled in the spotlight.

Lakers: Doncic’s debut was a star-studded affair, even by Los Angeles standards. Adele, Will Ferrell, Flea and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Mavericks great Dirk Nowitzki were among those in attendance.

Key Moment

Doncic made a series of impressive passes in his first game wearing the purple and gold, including setting up Jaxson Hayes for an alley-oop dunk 50 seconds into the game and finding a streaking James with a three-quarter court heave for a layup in the final minute of the opening half.

Key Stat

Doncic looked heavy-legged after the long layoff, shooting 5 of 14 from the field and making only one of his seven attempts from 3-point range (14.3%).

Up Next

The Jazz host the Lakers on Wednesday.

The post Luka Doncic Makes a Winning Impression in Lakers Debut appeared first on GV Wire.

They have switched teams in a blockbuster deal.

Doncic has been traded by the reigning Western Conference champion Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers for Davis. The trade was announced Sunday morning after the teams got the required league approval on all the terms involved in the deal.

Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris are headed to the Lakers, while Davis and Max Christie are going to Dallas.

The Utah Jazz are involved in the deal, getting Jalen Hood-Schifino and two draft picks — second-rounders this year, one from the Lakers and one from the Mavs.

Doncic and Davis Both Injured

The trade news broke about an hour after the Lakers beat New York at Madison Square Garden. Davis was not with the Lakers for the game; he has been back in Los Angeles because of an abdominal injury that needed assessing.

Doncic has not played for Dallas since Christmas, when he exited a game with a strained left calf. The trade may come at a serious price for Doncic, who now can’t sign a five-year supermax contract extension this summer that could have been worth around $345 million.

It was never clear if the Mavs would have offered such a massive deal. Doncic would have also had an option to leave as a free agent after the 2025-26 season if he wanted, and it’s certain that other teams would have — and probably already were — planning for that scenario with hopes of landing the Slovenian star.

“We really feel like we got ahead of what was going to be a tumultuous summer, him being eligible for the supermax and also a year away from him being able to opt out of any contract,” Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison told The Dallas Morning News. “And so we really felt like we got out in front of that. We know teams, they’ve had it out there, teams have been loading up to try to sign him once that comes available.”

Doncic is still extension eligible this summer, with the max that the Lakers could offer him being five years at about $230 million — a $115 million difference than what the supermax could have been.

Deal Pairs Doncic With James, Davis With Irving

The deal, at least for now, pairs Doncic with LeBron James as the new 1-2 punch in Los Angeles, while Davis would be forming a new star duo with Kyrie Irving in Dallas. And it also reunites Doncic with his former teammate, Lakers coach JJ Redick.

Doncic was one of the Mavericks players on the floor when Redick came out of a game for the final time on May 11, 2021.

There was one game still going on in the NBA on Saturday night when reports began swirling of the trade, that being Phoenix-Portland. Suns guard Devin Booker said someone in the stands told him and his teammates of the trade.

“They said Luka. I said, ‘Luka Garza?’” Booker said, referencing a Minnesota center.

Booker wasn’t trying to be funny. He just thought what many probably thought — that there was no way the Mavs would move Doncic.

“It’s crazy, man. I really don’t know what to say about it,” Booker said. “Luka being a guy that everybody has claimed is untouchable and untradeable. The NBA shows you again. Can’t predict. It’s a business. They’re always having a conversation about you. So don’t think you’re safer than you are.”

Anyone Is Up for Grabs: Kevin Durant

Added fellow Suns star Kevin Durant: “Insane. It’s crazy. Crazy. Damn, would of never thought Luka Doncic would get traded. At his age, midseason, the NBA is a wild place, man. If he can get traded then anybody is up for grabs.”

And there was immediate shock on social media when the news hit as well.

“Luka getting traded from Dallas has to have a deeper story behind it,” Cleveland center Tristan Thompson wrote on X. “This just doesn’t happen on a random Saturday night.”

“Wait what?” posted Patrick Mahomes, the star Kansas City quarterback who sits courtside at Mavs games occasionally during the offseason, NBA playoffs included.

And Knicks guard Jalen Brunson wondered in another post if it was a joke: “April fools right?” he asked.

Davis, Doncic Are Dominant Scorers

Among players with at least 400 games, Doncic’s 28.6-point average is third in NBA history behind only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain — both at 30.1. When healthy, he’s typically somewhere between dynamic and unstoppable.

He was third in the MVP voting last season after averaging 33.9 points, 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds per game, easily one of the greatest statistical seasons in league history. Doncic — who turns 26 later this month and has referred to James as an “idol” — had a 73-point game against Atlanta on Jan. 26, 2024, tying the fourth-highest scoring total ever in an NBA game. Only Chamberlain (100), Kobe Bryant (81) and Chamberlain (78) scored more.

Davis, an All-Star pick this year for the 10th time in his career, turns 32 next month. He’s part of the NBA’s 75th anniversary team, helped the Lakers win the NBA title in the bubble in 2020, and — like Doncic — is a five-time All-NBA selection.

Doncic is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists this season. Davis is averaging 25.7 points and 11.9 rebounds.

The post Lakers Get Doncic from Mavericks in Blockbuster Trade for Davis appeared first on GV Wire.

LeBron James had 22 points and Austin Reaves chipped in 17 for the Lakers, who never trailed.

Miles Bridges had 26 points for the Hornets, who lost LaMelo Ball in the second quarter to a left ankle injury after he stepped on Jarred Vanderbilt’s foot as he backpedaled down the court after draining a 3-point jumper off one foot.

It was supposed to be a celebratory night for the Hornets in a game that was aired on free, local over-the-air TV throughout the Carolinas for the first time since the 2007-08 season — giving them a chance to potentially capture a new audience.

But it didn’t go as planned.

Davis scored 21 points in the first quarter on 9-of-12 shooting to go along with 11 rebounds as the Lakers bolted to a 39-19 lead.

Related Story: Lakers Send D’Angelo Russell to Nets in Four Player Deal

Takeaways

Lakers: Davis was dominant and there was nothing Mark Williams could do stop him. Williams struggled to defend Davis on the perimeter as he sank a series of uncontested fadeaway jumpers. Four Lakers starters played at least 36 minutes.

Hornets: Ball has missed 158 games during his NBA career due to injury. He came in averaging 28.9 points but was not chosen an All-Star starter despite leading all Eastern Conference guards in voting.

Key Moment

After Charlotte pulled within six with about a minute to play, Dorian Finney-Smith drove the lane for a high-flying dunk over Bridges.

Key Stat

Los Angeles made 14 of 16 shots to open the game.

Up Next

The Lakers are at Philadelphia on Tuesday; the Hornets host the Nets on Wednesday.

The post Anthony Davis Has Huge Double-Double as Lakers Win 4th Straight appeared first on GV Wire.

Grimes matched his career high with six 3-pointers on 6-for-11 shooting. P.J. Washington shot 9 for 14 and finished with 22 points and eight rebounds for the Mavs, who shot 52% (18 of 38) from the field.

The Mavericks ended their losing streak without their top scorers. Luka Doncic has been out with a left calf strain since Dec. 25, and Kyrie Irving has been sidelined the past two games with a bulging disk in his back.

Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 21 points and 12 rebounds. LeBron James added 18 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Los Angeles lost its second straight and for the third time in five games.

Related Story: Green’s 33 Point and VanVleet’s Late Steal Helps Rockets Edge

Up Next

The Lakers start a five-game homestand against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday. The Mavericks host the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday.

Lakers Struggle From Long Range

Lakers: Los Angeles was 11 of 35 from 3-point range and shot 45% overall from the field. The Lakers were outrebounded 44-33 and trailed by as many as 21 points.

Mavericks: Dallas hadn’t lost six consecutive games since Jan. 23-Feb. 1, 2021.

The Mavs finished the first half on an 11-0 run to take a five-point lead. They kept it going early in the third quarter, building a 16-point advantage with three minutes remaining in the period.

Bench Plays Crucial Role

The Mavericks’ reserves outscored the Lakers bench 50-25, including 38 combined points from Grimes and Jaden Hardy.

The post Mavericks End 5-Game Losing Streak With a Victory Over Lakers appeared first on GV Wire.

Amen Thompson added 23 points and a career-high 16 rebounds in his return after a two-game suspension to help Houston eke out the victory after leading by as many as 22.

A basket by LeBron James got the Lakers within 117-115 with eight seconds to go. Alperen Sengun missed 1 of 2 free throws after that to give Los Angeles a chance to tie it.

But VanVleet stole the inbounds pass intended for James. VanVleet made 1 of 2 free throws to secure the victory.

Anthony Davis had 30 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers. James added 21 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists.

Related Story: LeBron James, Max Christie Carry Lakers Past Blazers for Their 6th Win in 8 ...

Up Next

The Lakers visit Dallas on Tuesday night and the Rockets visit Washington that night.

Lakers’ Late Rally Falls Short

Los Angeles used an 11-2 run, with six points from Davis, to get within two with 4 minutes to go. A dunk by Thompson started a 7-2 run that pushed Houston’s lead to 115-108 with 2 ½ minutes remaining.

The Rockets remained up by seven about a minute after that when a 3 by Davis cut the lead to 117-113 before the basket by James.

Thompson’s Strong Return

Thompson’s performance Sunday was a good sign for Houston. The second-year player is starting in place of Jabari Smith Jr., who could be out up to two months after breaking a bone in his hand Friday.

Key Moments and Stats

The steal by VanVleet that sealed the victory was the key moment of the game. The Rockets had 52 points in the paint to 40 by the Lakers, a key stat in their victory.

The post Green’s 33 Point and VanVleet’s Late Steal Helps Rockets Edge Lakers appeared first on GV Wire.

Related Story: James Scores 31 in Record 19th Christmas Day Game as Lakers Hold Off Curry, ...

James and Christie Lead Lakers’ Offensive Charge

James hit a season-high seven 3-pointers and Christie added five for the Lakers, who have won six of eight. Austin Reaves contributed 15 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds as Los Angeles hung on to beat Portland for the fifth straight time.

Davis sat out for only the second time this season to rest his sprained left ankle, which the star big man hurt on Christmas. Point guard Gabe Vincent also sat with a hip injury.

Blazers’ Late Rally Falls Short

Anfernee Simons scored 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter for the Blazers, who have lost four of six. Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija added 19 points apiece.

Jaxson Hayes had four points while starting in Davis’ spot in his return from a 15-game injury absence.

Dorian Finney-Smith scored three points and Shake Milton had four in the veterans’ second game for the Lakers since arriving in a trade with Brooklyn.

Lakers Hold Off Portland’s Late Surge

Portland trailed 99-86 with 6:13 to play, but made a 14-4 run. James and Christie combined for 11 points down the stretch, capped by James’ seventh 3-pointer with 59 seconds left.

James’ Hot Shooting Streak Continues

James has made 14 of 24 3-point attempts over the past four games. He turned 40 midway through this torrid stretch.

The Lakers host Atlanta on Friday. The Blazers visit Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.

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