Austin Reaves in 3 career games without Luka Doncic, LeBron James since Doncic trade:51 PTS, 11 REB, 9 AST (tonight)37 PTS, 8 REB, 13 AST45 PTS, 7 REB, 7 ASTCareer-high scoring night. pic.twitter.com/NnkrGuyDfc— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) October 27, 2025

crazy how austin became this homegrown star for the lakersevery year he finds a new way to grow his game but still fit, no matter who’s beside him bron ad luka 3 different coaches / systemshe’s molded himself into whatever the team has neededjust knows how to make it work pic.twitter.com/XO4xNkrPFH— Coach Rome (@Rome_Beast) October 27, 2025

Wemby is the best player in the NBA so far this season, per HoopsHype's Global Rating.Austin Reaves is the best American. pic.twitter.com/cKVlGI3FVp— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) October 27, 2025

The four other players this century to total 50+ points in a game for the Lakers:1. Kobe Bryant (25x)2. LeBron James (3x)3. Anthony Davis (2x)4. Shaquille O'Neal (2x) https://t.co/6QLKF6V5V2 pic.twitter.com/hwjLVpbYxt— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) October 27, 2025

Austin Reaves is the FIRST player in NBA history with..• 50+ points• 8+ rebounds• 8+ assists• 80%+ true shooting..all in the same game. pic.twitter.com/vN1eZDQylB— Automatic (@automaticnba) October 27, 2025

No LeBron for a month, no Luka for a week.
Austin Reaves ready to go crazy is our only hope.

Have Lakers Found Blueprint For Championship Without LeBron? The Lakers’ championship blueprint is a relentless downhill juggernaut offense powered by Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves combined with an elite point-of-attack defense fueled by Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt. By… pic.twitter.com/zUms5E0oOq— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 26, 2025

Have Lakers Found Blueprint For Championship Without LeBron? Besides their pair of star shot and playmakers in Doncic and Reaves and elite point-of-attack defenders in Smart and Vanderbilt, the Lakers key role players Hachimura, Ayton, and LaRavia defended well and made shots.… pic.twitter.com/PBXfJpOtRx— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 26, 2025

Have Lakers Found Blueprint For Championship Without LeBron? The Lakers need to double down and play hard and smart tonight and show that last night’s league best 137.6 offensive rating and league 4th best +20.6 net rating ( #4) are their new championship blueprint and not an… pic.twitter.com/yc0nT4t7Co— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 26, 2025

From above article:

Deandre Ayton sat at his corner locker with a dark towel over his head, mostly hidden until he thought about one play Friday night that involved him setting a screen for Luka Dončić and missing a dunk.

As he realized the moment he was being asked about, his eyes opened wide and he removed the towel.

“I told Luka, I said, ‘Yo bro, you have power.’ Like I’ve seen true power today,” Ayton told The Athletic. “Like I seen four dudes on him. Bro, I set the screen and it was like they had to bring four.

“What the f—?”

And then Ayton missed a dunk.

Still, he can be forgiven for the exaggeration (Dončić was double-teamed). And for the cursing. Ayton was excited.

Because this play, maybe more than any other in the Lakers’ 128-110 win against Minnesota, fueled hope inside the locker room that this year’s team is more talented and has a higher ceiling than last year’s.

On a night where Dončić scored 49, the most exciting moment was a slick pick-and-roll.

In the third quarter, Ayton set a high screen for Dončić, who caught a double team from Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels. Dončić whipped the ball from the right wing to the left to Austin Reaves. Ayton’s man, Rudy Gobert, sprinted out to Reaves.

And then Ayton ran toward the basket.

Reaves hit him with a pass, and a lane opened in front of him. Julius Randle ran from the corner to the rim to challenge, and Ayton tried to dunk with his left hand. The ball rimmed down and out (he might’ve been fouled). Rui Hachimura grabbed the rebound, scored and was fouled.

But after the play, Reaves and Dončić went right to Ayton, pounding him on the chest.

“We loved it,” Dončić told The Athletic, saying it was the best executed pick-and-roll the team has run with Ayton so far this season.

“We want him to do that,” Dončić said.

“One thousand percent,” Reaves added. “I don’t care if he missed.”

The Lakers, like Phoenix and Portland before them, want to see Ayton put his immense physical talents to simple use like this, attacking the basket with forceful intention. And while there have been some glimpses, there hasn’t been much proof of concept for Ayton’s chemistry with the Lakers’ best ballhandlers.

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

8. Los Angeles Lakers
Last ranking: 11th

2024-25 season results: 50-32, third in West, lost West quarterfinals
2026 playoff prediction: Fifth in West, lose West semifinals vs. Thunder

Luka Dončić’s fitness level represents this team’s ceiling. The Lakers will get off to fast starts in games because Dončić dominates first quarters. The key is if Dončić is as good in fourth quarters as well. At least he’ll be more comfortable when the season begins, because he’s ready to go, and LeBron James is not. The Lakers might be fine with letting James take his time, because a defense that features all three of Dončić, Austin Reaves and the 40-year-old version of James has, thus far, shown to be road meat. The Lakers won’t hurt for offense between Dončić and Reaves, and the Lakers have a few more defensive options to test out between an actual center (the enigmatic Deandre Ayton), a former Defensive Player of the Year winner (Marcus Smart), and a healthier point-of-attack defender (Jarred Vanderbilt). Plus, we all know the Lakers are going to shoot a dozen more free throws than their opponents and get a coach fined for talking about it.

FROM THE ABOVE ARTICLE:

The Los Angeles Lakers made a stunning blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic in February, and the deal just keeps getting better. Doncic is in the best shape of his life and looks completely unstoppable after two games. The Lakers acquired arguably the best player in the world, and Anthony Davis looks to have already taken a step backward in Dallas.

Luka had 43 points and missed a triple-double by just one assist in the season opener. He remained unstoppable against the Timberwolves on Friday night. Doncic had a 49-point double-double as LA got a bit of revenge on Minnesota from the playoffs for their first win of the season. The Don made some Lakers history and continues to build his MVP case. The 26-year-old is on a new level in his first full year with Los Angeles.

On the other side, the Mavs are 0-2 after a nightmare loss to the rebuilding Wizards. They do not have a healthy point guard as Kyrie Irving recovers from a torn ACL. AD made multiple head-scratching plays late in the game and had Dallas fans losing their minds. Things just keep looking better for the purple and gold.

Pete does a great job highlighting how Luka killed the Wolves.
Luka Magic!

From above article:

1-QB Luka’s game management masterclass (VIDEO)

Those of us who have watched every Luka game in detail recognize these kinds of dominant Luka Ball nights as they unfold. When things don’t go as well, Luka Ball can sometimes feel forced, the offense too heliocentric, too static. But when everything clicks, when shots are falling early, when Dončić is in full control, quarterbacking every snap from the first possession, dissecting the best NBA defenses ruthlessly and systematically. The complete Luka game is beautiful to watch.

I sometimes hear Lakers media critique Dončić, saying he should, like Kobe or Magic once did, involve his teammates early instead of dominating from the start. But Dončić’s chess game works the other way around. If the defense is conservative, like it was last night with his favorite target Rudy Gobert playing in drop, he brings the heat early and keeps hammering it until the opponent gives in and changes tactics. Chris Finch did just that in the third quarter, and that’s when Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura, and the rest started to feast against a scrambling, demoralized defense.

When the LeBron injury news hit, I predicted the Lakers would lean more on Luka Ball and that Dončić would need to start the season like he did in 2023–24, when he carried the Mavericks through their first four games to set the tone. So far, he’s answered that call, averaging 46 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists on 62 percent shooting through the first two games.

2-Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt transforming the team mid-game

I titled the game preview for this one “If there’s a night to turn up the on-ball pressure…it’s this one.” Before the game, Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura both talked about physicality and being ready for a fight against the bigger Timberwolves. But for the first quarter and a half, the Lakers didn’t back up that talk with action. They got pushed around as Minnesota grabbed every loose ball and rebound, outscoring them 18–0 in second-chance points in the first half.

In the preview, I hinted at the idea of starting both Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt to hit the Wolves early and apply the on-ball pressure needed to expose their weaknesses in the playmaking department. Redick didn’t go that route — Gabe Vincent started again — but he did unleash an aggressive small-ball lineup featuring Vanderbilt and Smart at the end of the first half. The two ball hawks put together a defensive highlight reel last night. Unfortunately, there are some issues with the video tracking, so you’ll have to take my word for it.

It’s rare to see a game where two players combine for just four field goal attempts and only one make, yet leave such a massive imprint on the outcome. Smart’s hustle plays and steals, diving on the floor, and Vanderbilt’s long arms creating havoc with deflections and surprise help-side blocks changed the energy completely. Smart finished +24 in 21 minutes, and Vanderbilt was +12 in 20 energy-packed minutes. Most importantly, they flipped the script. The Timberwolves — the bully in the previous matchups — got bullied themselves, to the point where Dončić’s demolition on the other end pushed them into frustration, loss of focus, and a string of undisciplined fouls and shots. There was another positive. Jake LaRavia, the third piece of hope for a more aggressive perimeter defense, showed up as well. Lineups featuring all three offered a glimpse of a switchable perimeter wall.

3–Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura: stay-ready, wait-your-turn brilliance

“The beauty of playing with him is he draws so much attention, I get so many easy shots. Of course, you have to be ready to make those shots.” — Rui Hachimura, postgame

The quote by his Japanese teammate eloquently summed up both the simplicity and the complexity of playing the role of a piece on Dončić’s chessboard.

Hachimura isn’t the top-level athlete or defender who would be the ideal complement to Dončić, but he has an equally important skill of staying ready and converting the open shots Dončić creates at an elite rate. Last night, Hachimura scored 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting. Reaves’ role requires even more patience and the ability to shapeshift during the game, spotting up as a shooter or punishing advantages when Dončić is in control, then becoming the primary creator when Luka takes a breather and lets Reaves run the show. In the first two games, Reaves has handled both roles admirably, averaging 26 points and 10 assists per game. The critical part last night was cleaning up the sloppy passes from the opener against the Warriors to prevent the more athletic Wolves from getting loose in transition. His 11-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio was a testament to how well he did that.

4-Deandre Ayton’s 41 screens: little shine for him, lots for Luka

Ayton is another player who has to stay ready and patient for his chances. The first half was rough for him. Defensively, he didn’t make enough of an impact and was part of the problem as the Wolves dominated the glass. On offense, he kept setting screen after screen for Dončić, but with the way Minnesota defended the pick-and-roll, most of it was simply to give Luka enough room to operate in the gap between his defender and Gobert or whichever big had dropped back. Ayton had only three field goal attempts at halftime.

But like the others, Ayton waited for the position to develop and for his opening to appear. He finally got his turn in the third quarter, when Finch started sending two defenders and blitzing Dončić. Ayton recently said he can be a confusing pick-and-roll partner because of his versatility — not only rolling to the rim but also finishing at an elite rate on short-roll and pocket-pass jumpers from the free-throw line. He knocked down a couple of those shots in the third quarter and was eventually rewarded with three easy looks at the rim (one of them the highly anticipated lob dunk) off Dončić passes.

What impressed most about Ayton was his willingness to set countless screens — he’s currently the league leader in total screens set — and how his versatility as a roll big often leads to outcomes other than a lob finish but just as effective. One example was a wide-open corner three for Hachimura, created by Ayton sealing deep in the post and drawing help.

For anyone who wants to learn more, we dissected Ayton’s pick-and-roll game in detail in a recent podcast with the brilliant guys at the Lakers Film Room Podcast.

5–JJ Redick making playoff-like adjustments

Redick and the team faced criticism after the third-quarter collapse against the Warriors, a negative Lakers tradition the coaching staff surely wants to break. Redick even joked postgame that, for the first time in Lakers history, the other team called the first timeout of the third quarter. He downplayed his halftime tweaks as non-basketball, routine adjustments. But Ayton was much more complimentary of Redick’s tweaks, describing the game as almost playoff-like because of how many adjustments his coach made on the fly. After the sluggish start, Redick definitely pushed the right buttons. Whether it was changing the tone with his aggressive small-ball lineup or fine-tuning his shifting scheme, he doubled down on aggressive nail and gap help against Anthony Edwards.

The next challenge will be fixing the sloppy opening periods with the starting group. The Lakers haven’t started either game with the right intensity and focus, so Redick will need to address that. Most pundits have been calling for one of Smart or Vanderbilt to start, but after last night, you can see the vision of them being the tone changers off the bench. Whatever route Redick chooses, this statement win and the effort the team showed should serve as a reference point moving forward.

Redick Keeps Same Laker Starting Lineup To Prove Point To Players! Last night, the Lakers came out and rewarded their coach’s gutty decision with a 128–110 blowout victory over the same Timberwolves team that had eliminated them in five games in the first round of last… pic.twitter.com/uqIBttReWu— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 25, 2025

Redick Keeps Same Laker Starting Lineup To Prove Point To Players! Most young, inexperienced second-year head coaches would simply have replaced Vincent with Smart but Redick instinctively understood that was not the right decision and would be wrongly throwing Gabe under the… pic.twitter.com/9PUtOKqLLA— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 25, 2025

Redick Keeps Same Laker Starting Lineup To Prove Point To Players! Now, instead of worrying about falling behind while waiting for LeBron, the Lakers can suddenly celebrate and rejoice at the possibility that, even without LeBron James, this year’s team could be better than… pic.twitter.com/oFhFiniwI0— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 25, 2025

The Lakers bounce back in a huge way with a DOMINANT win over the Wolves 😈 pic.twitter.com/WoRW6oAqFP— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) October 25, 2025

LAKERS BLOWOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES 🔥Luka: 48 PTS (5/12 3FG) | 11 REB | 8 ASTReaves: 25 PTS | 11 AST | 7 REBRui: 23 PTS (10/13 FG)Ayton: 15 PTS | 8 REB pic.twitter.com/E9xqxXgr2M— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) October 25, 2025

Lakers get their first win of the season beating the T’Wolves 128-110! GREAT WIN!! Now it’s time to keep building!! #Lakers #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/BqtDEQjKCj— LakersLockedIn (@lakerslocked) October 25, 2025

LAKERS WIN!LUKA DONCIC MVP FRONT RUNNERAUSTIN REAVES ALLSTAR LEAPMARCUS SMART DPOY DEANDRE AYTON TOP 10 CENTER IN THE LEAGUERUI HACHIMURA IS A WALKING BUCKETWARRIORS LOST TO THE “BLAZERS” 😹LIFE CAN’T GET ANY BETTER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ozfgdJJaHu— LeBron__legacy 👑 🐐 (@LeBron__legacy) October 25, 2025

New Lakers–Wolves Game Observations just dispatched to the mailboxes.Which of my five notes was the most fun for you last night? pic.twitter.com/f22KFZTGbF— Iztok Franko (@iztok_franko) October 25, 2025

Three Savvy Austin Reaves Trades Lakers Could Pull Off Right Now! While the Lakers’ original plan was to wait 20 to 25 games before making any trade, LeBron James’ injury may have forced them to rethink that plan and look for possible immediate trades now to keep them in… pic.twitter.com/wPq4hKkDap— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 24, 2025

Three Savvy Austin Reaves Trades Lakers Could Pull Off Right Now! The objective in trading Austin Reaves is acquire a 3&D two-way player who could be the Lakers’ starting small forward and a quality backup center who could either protect the rim and/or stretch the court with… pic.twitter.com/KI91x20FsW— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 24, 2025

Three Savvy Austin Reaves Trades Lakers Could Pull Off Right Now! Let’s see what kind of win-win Austin Reaves trades Rob Pelinka of the Lakers might be able to pull off with Kevin Pritchard of the Pacers, Rafael Stone of the Rockets, or Nico Harrison of the Mavericks.… pic.twitter.com/nDzkHG0v4a— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 24, 2025

Three Savvy Austin Reaves Trades Lakers Could Pull Off Right Now! 1. AUSTIN REAVES TO PACERS TRADEHere’s a proposed blockbuster trade where the Los Angeles Lakers send a package of Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dalton Knecht to the Indiana Pacers for Aaron Nesmith, Obi… pic.twitter.com/Z1DWqJwAfI— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 24, 2025

Three Savvy Austin Reaves Trades Lakers Could Pull Off Right Now! 2. AUSTIN REAVES TO ROCKETS TRADEIn this proposed blockbuster trade, the Los Angeles Lakers send Austin Reaves and Dalton Knecht to the Houston Rockets in return for backup center Steven Adams and promising… pic.twitter.com/IY11kz1nIP— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 24, 2025

Three Savvy Austin Reaves Trades Lakers Could Pull Off Right Now! 3. AUSTIN REAVES TO MAVERICKS TRADEThe third proposed blockbuster trade has the Los Angeles Lakers sending a package of Austin Reaves and Jarred Vanderbilt to the Dallas Mavericks in return for center Daniel… pic.twitter.com/nJkNX1BVqn— LakerTom (@LakerTom) October 24, 2025