Instead of Sunday being a story of two halves, the Lakers’ win over the Jazz felt more like a story of 4 quarters. Or, more particularly, one quarter vs. three quarters.
The first quarter is going to rank up there with one of the worst LA performs this season. The Jazz shot unsustainably nicely, as we would see, they also were just outworking the Lakers, too.
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They had a staggering 24-4 benefit in factors in the paint. They had 16 second-chance factors on six offensive rebounds. Everything they did appeared to work.
The benefit of having a famous person, though, is that they can paper over your shortcomings on any given evening. And from the second quarter on, it was Luka Dončić’s world with Austin Reaves taking part in an overqualified Robin.
They still struggled rebounding. They still lost the battle in the paint. But they hit 11 more threes and six more free throws over the remaining three frames to overcome that.
The finish outcome was a gritty win that leaves the staff with much to work on, but they get to do it in greater spirits.
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So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are primarily based on expectations for each participant. A “B” grade represents the average efficiency for that participant.
Matisse Thybulle
25 minutes, 11 factors, 1 rebound, 1 help, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 foul, 4-8 FG, 3-7 3PT, +12
As unsure as I stay about the long-term viability of beginning both Thybulle and Williams, if they’re going to play and shoot like this, then it’s exhausting to also argue for going away from it. They offer the Lakers the probability to cross match on protection, which can also lead to confusion on the other finish as nicely.
Grade: B+
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Ziaire Williams
half-hour, 11 factors, 2 rebounds, 1 help, 1 steal, 2 fouls, 3-9 FG, 3-7 3PT, 2-2 FT, +11
There are still a few too many occasions when he goes to the rim without much of an concept of what to do and hopes his athleticism can bail him out. But he’s taking pictures the ball nicely and is an energetic defender. He actually seems to have solidified his spot in this lineup.
Grade: B+
Walker Kessler
28 minutes, 2 factors, 7 rebounds, 1 block, 4 fouls, 1 turnover, 1-2 FG, +2
After the recreation, he admitted that he let his feelings get the best of him and it impacted his play. It confirmed, because he was a relative non-factor in this one. Considering the circumstances, and the means he performed in the first two video games, we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.
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Grade: D
Austin Reaves
35 minutes, 29 factors, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 5 fouls, 3 turnovers, +14
Reaves will be a bit of an unsung hero in this one for about 52 causes, but his second quarter was as important as any stretch of this recreation. He had 15 factors on 4-5 taking pictures from the discipline while making all 4 of his free throws and pulled the Lakers back into the recreation.
Grade: A
Luka Dončić
38 minutes, 52 factors, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, 17-30 FG, 8-18 3PT, 10-11 FT, +3
Fresh off one of his worst video games as a Laker, he has one of his best. He fairly much epitomized the Lakers general in this recreation. He began the recreation 3-8 from the discipline and 0-5 from three, that means he hit 14 of his remaining 22 photographs and eight of his remaining 13 threes.
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A particular, particular evening.
Grade: A+
Quentin Grimes
20 minutes, 3 factors, 1 rebound, 1 help, 2 fouls, 1-2 FG, 0-1 3PT, -8
After a couple of sturdy video games to open the season, Grimes wasn’t as productive on Sunday. The benefit of having a deep staff is that they do not need to rely on him if he’s struggling.
Grade: C-
Sandro Mamukelashvili
20 minutes, 9 factors, 3 rebounds, 2-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, 4-6 FT, -3
The Lakers have gone to lineups pretty typically with Mamu at the 5 with Looney actually struggling. It’s not his best option against most opponents, but it seems they’re going to have to make do. It was good to see him get to the line for six free throws.
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Grade: B-
Collin Sexton
20 minutes, 13 factors, 2 rebounds, 1 help, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 5-11 FG, 1-5 3PT, 2-2 FT, +1
Considering it’s his second time suiting up at all this season, an unexpectedly sturdy recreation from Sexton. He confirmed his worth as a release valve and dribble-drive menace alongside Luka and Reaves. He’s still shaking off the rust, but this was more than a glimpse at his worth.
Grade: A-
Jake LaRavia
quarter-hour, 4 rebounds, 1 help, 2 steals, 2 fouls, 1 block, 0-3 FG, 0-2 3PT, +14
This was a recreation where the scoreline does not do justice to LaRavia’s impression. Once he came on in the second period, he actually helped change the tide of the recreation. Even without scoring, he was an impactful participant, evidenced by tying for a staff high in plus-minus.
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Grade: B+
Kevon Looney
I do not think about there’s going to be much completely different about this part for the overwhelming majority of video games this season. It’s very evident he’s previous his prime and can no longer be impactful.
JJ Redick
Challenging his means into an early foul for Walker Kessler was suboptimal, but you can perceive why he did it. It did depart the Lakers in a robust spot the relaxation of the recreation, but it was good to see none of the gamers ready to make the round, difficult movement with their finger most of the recreation.
Grade: B
Sunday’s inactives: Cameron Carr, AK Okerek, Adou Thiero
Sunday’s DNPs: Jaden Hardy, Bronny James, Arthur Kaluma, Chris Mañon, Jarred Vanderbilt
You can comply with Jacob on Twitter at @JacobImpolite or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
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