LAKERS LOCK UP HOME COURT FOR FIRST ROUND!

April 11, 2026 at 8:02 am

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

Lakers win as teams eye matchups and play the standings.

The Lakers got an important win, beating the Suns 101–73 and securing home court advantage for the playoffs. It was also one of many games across the NBA last night shaped by calculations. Some teams rested key players, like the Suns did, while others looked to manipulate the standings, either for better lottery odds or more favorable playoff matchups.

This was the Lakers’ 52nd win of the season, another impressive achievement for a team that navigated a disjointed year marked by multiple injury absences.

Raj C.
@RajChipalu
52 wins ties the most since the 2019-2020 title season.

Have to go back 15 years in 2010-2011 (57) to find a season they won more games than this year.

No matter how this shakes out, staff and players deserve a ton of credit for this year.

10:12 PM · Apr 10, 2026 · 13.6K Views
10 Replies · 126 Reposts · 788 Likes

Not only is this the Lakers’ best regular season record since the 2019–20 title year, it’s also JJ Redick’s second straight 50-win season. Like the rest of the team, Redick had his ups and downs, but he and his staff deserve real credit for how they navigated this year.

Today’s notes:

Hard to read these games, but business had to be done

LeBron, Kennard and Rui’s offensive groove (VIDEO)

Marcus Smart back to doing smart things (VIDEO)

Ball-handling questions heading into the playoffs (VIDEO)

Everyone wants the Lakers in round one

1-Hard to read these games, but business had to be done

This was the second straight game the Lakers played against an opponent sitting key players. The Suns were without their top two on-ball creators in Devin Booker and Jalen Green, and their other guards, Grayson Allen and Collin Gillespie, only played the first half. With no real playmaking, ball-handling, or shooting, Phoenix struggled to generate any offense throughout the game. The only thing that kept them afloat early was crashing the glass off their frequent misses in the first half. Without their primary ball-handlers, the Suns fell apart offensively, with 23 turnovers and just 7-of-40 (18%) from three. Their 82.5 points per 100 possessions was the worst scoring output of any Lakers opponent this season.

To the Lakers’ credit, they played hard from the start, preventing the Suns from finding any rhythm or confidence. Their first-shot defense was at a high level for most of the night. Still, it’s very hard to take anything meaningful from these end-of-season games, when most teams are simply trying to get to the playoffs, or in the Suns’ case, the play-in, healthy.

2-LeBron, Kennard and Rui’s offensive groove (VIDEO)

The Lakers playing their last two games against lesser opposition was a much-needed break, giving the team time to adjust after the shock of the Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves injuries, and to recalibrate while establishing a new pecking order.

LeBron as the hub of the offense, Luke Kennard as the secondary playmaker, and Rui Hachimura as a second or third scoring option found a good rhythm and balance over the last two games.

LeBron had another impressive game with 28 points, 12 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. The 41-year-old set the tone from the start, scoring 14 points in the first quarter. Finding a rhythm in his jump shot, something that wasn’t there for most of the season, is crucial if the Lakers are to have any chance in the playoffs. Over the last two games, LeBron made 10-of-18 (55.6%) jump shots from outside the paint. Before that, he was at 34.8% (143-of-411) on the season.

Kennard keeps impressing in his extended starting role. He scored 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting, while adding three assists and three steals last night. LeBron and Kennard have established strong chemistry, especially in their two-man actions designed to get James a mismatch on the wing. These are the same sets we’ve seen James and Marcus Smart run earlier in the season. Postgame, James credited it to their smarts and knowledge of the game, and Kennard’s ability not just to pop and shoot, but also to roll, cut, and pass has made these actions particularly dangerous.

3-Marcus Smart back to doing smart things (VIDEO)

Smart has been one of the better success stories not only for the Lakers, but across the NBA this season. After two seasons marked by trades, injuries, and uncompetitive situations, seeing him contribute to winning basketball again feels well deserved for the former Defensive Player of the Year.

In the aftermath of the Dončić and Reaves injuries, I wrote about how Smart’s earlier absence was the first domino, creating a cascading effect on the workload of the other starters, because there is no other player on the roster who can replicate his skill set. Maybe his return after missing the previous nine games came too late, given the unfortunate events that followed, but it was still great to see him back on the court. Doing Smart things.

Smart had 6 points, 7 assists, and his usual 2 steals and 1 block in 19 minutes. His ability to contribute alongside Kennard as a secondary ball-handler and decision-maker will be key to any Lakers first-round upset hopes.

4-Ball-handling questions heading into the playoffs (VIDEO)

The Lakers didn’t face much of the usual Suns pressure we’ve seen in previous matchups, but when Phoenix turned it up in the third quarter, Hachimura and LaRavia struggled to handle the press.

This is why Smart and Kennard will be key at the start of the playoffs, trying to relieve LeBron of as much ball-handling duty as possible and taking on more of the responsibility bringing the ball up. Especially if the Lakers face an aggressive, pressure-heavy team like the Rockets. Heavy on-ball duties aren’t ideal for either of them, but the Lakers don’t have many other options.

5-Everyone wants the Lakers in round one

I mentioned teams going into calculation mode, trying to play the standings. The Nuggets rested all of their starters and still beat the Thunder, who also sat most of their key players. Without Dončić and Reaves, the Lakers have become the most attractive first-round opponent, something Redick and his staff are well aware of.

Daniel Starkand
@DStarkand
JJ Redick knows everyone wants to play the Lakers in the playoffs.

“Clearly there’s some teams that are… I’m sure everyone wants to play us, let’s get that out there. Everybody wants to play us. There’s probably teams that are in position where they can start looking forward

6:15 PM · Apr 10, 2026 · 29.2K Views
3 Replies · 29 Reposts · 475 Likes

There is just one game day left in the NBA regular season, with all teams playing Game 82 on Sunday. At the top of the West, only one spot remains undecided, the Lakers and Nuggets battling for the third seed.

Mike Trudell
@LakersReporter
LA, up 98-71 with 56.9 left, lock up home court for Round 1.

HOU is locked into the No. 5 seed, and the Wolves the No. 6.

Denver can lock in the No. 3 seed with a win at SAS; if so, LA would be No. 4 and host HOU.

If DEN loses and LA win, LA would be No. 3 and host MIN.
9:56 PM · Apr 10, 2026 · 19.2K Views
3 Replies · 52 Reposts · 385 Likes
Their win over the Thunder put the Nuggets in control of their own fate, but the Spurs could still have a say in who they prefer to face in the second round.

Rob Perez
@WorldWideWob
So…it’s in San Antonio’s best interest to run Denver out of the gym Sunday, right?

If Denver loses and LA wins (will be heavy favorites vs. UTA), the Spurs will have to face only one of DEN/OKC in the playoffs.
9:16 PM · Apr 10, 2026 · 182K Views
71 Replies · 102 Reposts · 2.55K Likes

Victor Wembanyama reached the 65-game threshold with a 40-point performance against Dallas last night (his official total still shows 64, but the NBA Cup final counts toward the threshold). Nikola Jokić, meanwhile, still needs to play in the final game to get there. How the Spurs and Nuggets approach their final matchup will be something to watch on Sunday.

Comments

LakerTom says

April 11, 2026 at 8:02 am

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

Lakers win as teams eye matchups and play the standings.

The Lakers got an important win, beating the Suns 101–73 and securing home court advantage for the playoffs. It was also one of many games across the NBA last night shaped by calculations. Some teams rested key players, like the Suns did, while others looked to manipulate the standings, either for better lottery odds or more favorable playoff matchups.

This was the Lakers’ 52nd win of the season, another impressive achievement for a team that navigated a disjointed year marked by multiple injury absences.

Raj C.
@RajChipalu
52 wins ties the most since the 2019-2020 title season.

Have to go back 15 years in 2010-2011 (57) to find a season they won more games than this year.

No matter how this shakes out, staff and players deserve a ton of credit for this year.

10:12 PM · Apr 10, 2026 · 13.6K Views
10 Replies · 126 Reposts · 788 Likes

Not only is this the Lakers’ best regular season record since the 2019–20 title year, it’s also JJ Redick’s second straight 50-win season. Like the rest of the team, Redick had his ups and downs, but he and his staff deserve real credit for how they navigated this year.

Today’s notes:

Hard to read these games, but business had to be done

LeBron, Kennard and Rui’s offensive groove (VIDEO)

Marcus Smart back to doing smart things (VIDEO)

Ball-handling questions heading into the playoffs (VIDEO)

Everyone wants the Lakers in round one

1-Hard to read these games, but business had to be done

This was the second straight game the Lakers played against an opponent sitting key players. The Suns were without their top two on-ball creators in Devin Booker and Jalen Green, and their other guards, Grayson Allen and Collin Gillespie, only played the first half. With no real playmaking, ball-handling, or shooting, Phoenix struggled to generate any offense throughout the game. The only thing that kept them afloat early was crashing the glass off their frequent misses in the first half. Without their primary ball-handlers, the Suns fell apart offensively, with 23 turnovers and just 7-of-40 (18%) from three. Their 82.5 points per 100 possessions was the worst scoring output of any Lakers opponent this season.

To the Lakers’ credit, they played hard from the start, preventing the Suns from finding any rhythm or confidence. Their first-shot defense was at a high level for most of the night. Still, it’s very hard to take anything meaningful from these end-of-season games, when most teams are simply trying to get to the playoffs, or in the Suns’ case, the play-in, healthy.

2-LeBron, Kennard and Rui’s offensive groove (VIDEO)

The Lakers playing their last two games against lesser opposition was a much-needed break, giving the team time to adjust after the shock of the Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves injuries, and to recalibrate while establishing a new pecking order.

LeBron as the hub of the offense, Luke Kennard as the secondary playmaker, and Rui Hachimura as a second or third scoring option found a good rhythm and balance over the last two games.

LeBron had another impressive game with 28 points, 12 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals. The 41-year-old set the tone from the start, scoring 14 points in the first quarter. Finding a rhythm in his jump shot, something that wasn’t there for most of the season, is crucial if the Lakers are to have any chance in the playoffs. Over the last two games, LeBron made 10-of-18 (55.6%) jump shots from outside the paint. Before that, he was at 34.8% (143-of-411) on the season.

Kennard keeps impressing in his extended starting role. He scored 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting, while adding three assists and three steals last night. LeBron and Kennard have established strong chemistry, especially in their two-man actions designed to get James a mismatch on the wing. These are the same sets we’ve seen James and Marcus Smart run earlier in the season. Postgame, James credited it to their smarts and knowledge of the game, and Kennard’s ability not just to pop and shoot, but also to roll, cut, and pass has made these actions particularly dangerous.

3-Marcus Smart back to doing smart things (VIDEO)

Smart has been one of the better success stories not only for the Lakers, but across the NBA this season. After two seasons marked by trades, injuries, and uncompetitive situations, seeing him contribute to winning basketball again feels well deserved for the former Defensive Player of the Year.

In the aftermath of the Dončić and Reaves injuries, I wrote about how Smart’s earlier absence was the first domino, creating a cascading effect on the workload of the other starters, because there is no other player on the roster who can replicate his skill set. Maybe his return after missing the previous nine games came too late, given the unfortunate events that followed, but it was still great to see him back on the court. Doing Smart things.

Smart had 6 points, 7 assists, and his usual 2 steals and 1 block in 19 minutes. His ability to contribute alongside Kennard as a secondary ball-handler and decision-maker will be key to any Lakers first-round upset hopes.

4-Ball-handling questions heading into the playoffs (VIDEO)

The Lakers didn’t face much of the usual Suns pressure we’ve seen in previous matchups, but when Phoenix turned it up in the third quarter, Hachimura and LaRavia struggled to handle the press.

This is why Smart and Kennard will be key at the start of the playoffs, trying to relieve LeBron of as much ball-handling duty as possible and taking on more of the responsibility bringing the ball up. Especially if the Lakers face an aggressive, pressure-heavy team like the Rockets. Heavy on-ball duties aren’t ideal for either of them, but the Lakers don’t have many other options.

5-Everyone wants the Lakers in round one

I mentioned teams going into calculation mode, trying to play the standings. The Nuggets rested all of their starters and still beat the Thunder, who also sat most of their key players. Without Dončić and Reaves, the Lakers have become the most attractive first-round opponent, something Redick and his staff are well aware of.

Daniel Starkand
@DStarkand
JJ Redick knows everyone wants to play the Lakers in the playoffs.

“Clearly there’s some teams that are… I’m sure everyone wants to play us, let’s get that out there. Everybody wants to play us. There’s probably teams that are in position where they can start looking forward

6:15 PM · Apr 10, 2026 · 29.2K Views
3 Replies · 29 Reposts · 475 Likes

There is just one game day left in the NBA regular season, with all teams playing Game 82 on Sunday. At the top of the West, only one spot remains undecided, the Lakers and Nuggets battling for the third seed.

Mike Trudell
@LakersReporter
LA, up 98-71 with 56.9 left, lock up home court for Round 1.

HOU is locked into the No. 5 seed, and the Wolves the No. 6.

Denver can lock in the No. 3 seed with a win at SAS; if so, LA would be No. 4 and host HOU.

If DEN loses and LA win, LA would be No. 3 and host MIN.
9:56 PM · Apr 10, 2026 · 19.2K Views
3 Replies · 52 Reposts · 385 Likes
Their win over the Thunder put the Nuggets in control of their own fate, but the Spurs could still have a say in who they prefer to face in the second round.

Rob Perez
@WorldWideWob
So…it’s in San Antonio’s best interest to run Denver out of the gym Sunday, right?

If Denver loses and LA wins (will be heavy favorites vs. UTA), the Spurs will have to face only one of DEN/OKC in the playoffs.
9:16 PM · Apr 10, 2026 · 182K Views
71 Replies · 102 Reposts · 2.55K Likes

Victor Wembanyama reached the 65-game threshold with a 40-point performance against Dallas last night (his official total still shows 64, but the NBA Cup final counts toward the threshold). Nikola Jokić, meanwhile, still needs to play in the final game to get there. How the Spurs and Nuggets approach their final matchup will be something to watch on Sunday.

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