If there’s one word that can sum up the Lakers’ performance, it is “unnecessary.” This team has a knack for complicating things, and Sunday’s game was yet another prime example.
Having the Lakers with a big lead and the chance to close out their homestand easily, they took the tougher route, giving the Pacers some late 3-point opportunities off of poor defensive execution, which made it far tighter than it had to be.
They ended up winning it, but it was a win that tasted bitter, like the taste of something that could’ve been so much smoother.
Let’s dive into the player grades. Grades are based on the expectations for each player. A “B” represents an average performance.
Rui Hachimura
30 minutes, 9 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 4-8 FG, 1-4 3PT, +6
It was a rough night for Rui. Offensively, he had some bright spots, especially when attacking the Pacers’ lack of size. But on defense, he was repeatedly torched by Pascal Siakam. So much so that Rui wasn’t on the floor for the final stretch of the game. The pairing with LeBron James and Anthony Davis highlighted both the positives and many of the drawbacks of his performance.
LeBron James
38 minutes, 26 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 8-19 FG, 2-4 3PT, 8-8 FT, +12
LeBron’s box score tonight is a testament to his remarkable consistency, but do not be fooled—it was far from perfect. On paper, this is yet another good night from LeBron, but for most of the game, his play was frustratingly inconsistent. Similar to his showing against the Sixers, he struggled for three quarters before flipping the switch in the fourth. Thankfully, he took care of the ball, keeping turnovers to just three, but this wasn’t the dominant LeBron we’ve come to expect.
Anthony Davis
40 minutes, 36 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 15-21 FG, 1-2 3PT, 5-5 FT, +11
Once again, Anthony Davis proved the Pacers simply have no answer for him, showcasing his dominance from start to finish. He was a force all game long, scoring at will and controlling the boards. In fact, this 36-point, 16-rebound performance on 15-21 shooting is only his second-best showing against the Pacers this season. And with another matchup later this week, Davis could have even more room to add to his impressive numbers.
Austin Reaves
37 minutes, 25 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 block, 6-13 FG, 2-5 3PT, 11-12 FT, +4
Austin Reaves was a story of two very different halves. On offense, he was strong, scoring 25 points, and his 12 free throw attempts (tied for fifth-most in his career) proved to be crucial in securing the win, particularly with his clutch free throws late. Still, his defense wasn’t very good. Reaves could not handle T.J. McConnell and others in the game as he had allowed a rash of 3-pointers at the end. Most of these came from Pacers’ miscommunication and failed switches against LeBron. Hard to not forget the defense given the nice scoring performance for him, though. With 25 points, this grade is still a bit harsh.
Spencer Dinwiddie
35 minutes, 26 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 8-11 FG, 2-3 3PT, 8-9 FT, +0
Spencer Dinwiddie finally broke through with the Lakers. While it may be longer than some people anticipated before he found his rhythm, he has played better over the past two games. On Sunday, Dinwiddie was fantastic—26 points, 5 assists, a key two-way contributor on both ends of the floor. And he’s coming off one of his better games of the season, in the absence of the injured D’Angelo Russell. The challenge will be for him to maintain the level of playing when coming from the bench but if he achieves that, they may have themselves a gem signing in this free buyout situation.
Cam Reddish
23 minutes, 7 points, 2 steals, 1-5 FG, 1-3 3PT, 4-6 FT, +1
It’s hard to be too harsh on Cam Reddish, especially after he just returned from injury, but his final minutes of play were concerning. The Lakers are having a terrible defensive game and need a solution; it was surprising to see Reddish end the game. He had something to do with at least one of the Pacers’ late 3-pointers, and his offense missed an open corner three and didn’t convert on a high-risk dunk attempt. As the team hunted for answers, Reddish’s contributions were wanted in this critical moment.
Taurean Prince
19 minutes, 14 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block, 6-8 FG, 2-3 3PT, 0-1 FT, -3
Taurean Prince played perhaps one of his best games as a Laker, considering how, over the last couple of games, he’s been moving to the bench. There is something about this new role that has awakened the attack mode in him. He attacks the paint with confidence, not something we often witnessed when he started. With 14 points on efficient shooting and a well-rounded performance, Prince’s energy off the bench gave the Lakers much-needed spark. It is something that they have been missing out all season long.
Max Christie
9 min, 3 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast, 1-1 FG, 1-1 3PT, +0
I normally maintain that Max Christie should start regularly, but it’s kind of hard to say that today. For example, a couple of plays in the second quarter really pop out from this shoot in defense by Max Christie. He lost Doug McDermott around the corner for an open three-pointer. McConnell to attack the rim. When this kind of defensive collapse occurs, it is hard to get more playing time, especially under Coach Darvin Ham.
Jaxson Hayes
8 minutes, 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1-3 FG, 2-2 FT, -6
Four rebounds in just eight minutes from Jaxson Hayes almost seems like a stat line you’d have to double-check! Some of his boards came during a chaotic possession for the Lakers, but you can’t complain about the output in his limited time. His minutes were understandably reduced due to Anthony Davis’ dominance, but Hayes still played his role effectively when on the floor.
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Darvin Ham
There were a few head-scratching moments in this game, but the most confusing segment came early in the fourth quarter. The Lakers opened the period without LeBron or AD on the floor, and the Pacers capitalized, going on a run that shifted the momentum. While a lot more went wrong after that, allowing them to gain traction was a curious decision. A lot of the late-game struggles will most probably be directed at Coach Ham, especially on defensive execution, but I believe NBA players should know to make switches and adjustments without their coach having to spell it out every time.