Not the sharpest tool in the toolbox.

Separation is starting to break up the pack.
Lakers joining top tier.
Nuggets hanging on.

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

It took (too) long, but they got the job done.

After a long road trip, the Lakers returned home and beat the Brooklyn Nets 116–99.

If you only look at the box score, this looks like a convincing blowout, but it certainly wasn’t. It took some late fourth-quarter Austin Reaves magic, coupled with the tanking Nets very conveniently keeping their starters on the bench, for the Lakers to finally pull away and put away a game that dragged on for far too long.

Eventually, the Lakers got the win, their 48th of the season and 14th in their last 16 games, reaching their preseason projection with eight games still remaining.

There’s more good news: they will now get two days of rest, something that hasn’t happened since the All-Star break, to recharge before their final two games in a difficult and packed March schedule.

Today’s notes:

Lakers (still) in the mud

Jaxson Hayes swings another game with energy (VIDEO)

Luka scores at will and keeps breaking records (VIDEO)

Austin Reaves takes over in the fourth (VIDEO)

Luka’s 16th tech, crankiness, and a much-needed break ahead (VIDEO)

1-Lakers (still) in the mud

The Lakers played this one at home in Crypto.com Arena, but their minds, and more importantly their legs, still looked like they were on the road. JJ Redick said postgame he told his players that because of the travel and changing time zones, this was basically their seventh road game, and after a sluggish first half summed it up simply: “we’re stuck in the mud.”

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JJ Redick: “Every team that plays us, regardless of their record, they’re trying to beat us. … It’s the Lakers, that’s what we’re gonna face. It looks like we’re stuck in mud.”
8:37 PM · Mar 27, 2026 · 12K Views
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For a third straight game, the Lakers looked tired and a step slow, whether it was getting to loose balls, 50-50 balls that mostly went the Nets’ way, or trying to contain the drive. The latter, like against Detroit, was a big problem and was where Marcus Smart was sorely missed again.

Nic Claxton, Zaire Williams, and Josh Minott were too aggressive and too athletic to keep off the glass and away from the rim, while Nolan Traore and Ben Saraf were simply too quick to stay in front of them on their downhill attacks. Like the Pacers, the young Nets found an extra boost of motivation playing against the team in purple and gold, as the worst offense in the NBA, playing without their only prolific scorer, still put up 59 points in the first half.

2-Jaxson Hayes swings another game with energy (VIDEO)

The Lakers desperately needed an energy boost and someone to cover for their continuous perimeter breakdowns, and for the second straight game, Jaxson Hayes came to the rescue.

After missing the previous game with back soreness, Deandre Ayton returned and did a solid job protecting the rim, collecting all three of his blocks in the first half. But Hayes stepped up big time, recording all five of his rejections in the second half, three of them coming late in the third quarter when the Lakers looked like they might get in trouble.

Hayes played 17 straight minutes in the second half, including the entire fourth quarter, and made a huge difference as the backline corrector who sparked the Lakers’ clinching run.

3-Luka scores at will and keeps breaking records(VIDEO)

Dončić, who was listed as questionable with left hamstring soreness, was one of the Lakers who looked a step slow and lacking juice on the defensive end early, but the 27-year-old is in such a groove right now that he can still put up a super-efficient 40 while playing in second gear.

His 41 points, along with eight rebounds and three steals, were just the latest in a string of ridiculous stat lines. It was his 12th straight 30-point game and his sixth 40-point game in that span.

Source: Iztok Franko post on X

Dončić also became the first player in Lakers franchise history to total 2,000+ points, 500+ assists, and 100+ steals in a season, one of many records he has either set or matched this year. Luka continues his end-of-season MVP push, but with the bar so high this season, he’ll likely need to extend his godly March into April all the way to the final game. And even that still might not be enough given the current MVP narratives.

4-Austin Reaves takes over in the fourth (VIDEO)

Reaves had a relatively quiet first three quarters, taking just eight shots and scoring 11 points while missing all three of his three-point attempts. Redick mentioned postgame a weird stretch with no dead balls and no chances to make substitutions at the end of the first quarter, which disrupted the rotation, including Reaves missing the start of the second period, when he usually runs the offense as the primary ballhandler.

The Lakers struggled with both Dončić and Reaves off the floor in the first half, but the rotation was restored in the second, and Reaves got his chance as the head honcho to open the fourth. Reaves made his first three on an open look out of a Horns Flare set, and after seeing it go down, hit his next three from behind the arc.

Reaves scored 15 of his 26 points in the fourth, delivering the late punch the Lakers needed to put the Nets away. Dončić chimed in with a charge, his 14th of the season, and a final stepback with a minute and a half to go.

5-Luka’s 16th tech, crankiness, and a much-needed break ahead (VIDEO)

I already mentioned the Lakers struggling with the energy and physicality of Nic Claxton and Ziaire Williams. The Nets, per Redick, were another team that took on the game plan perfected by the Thunder and Pistons, fouling on every possession. The Lakers got 42 free throws, but missing 13 of them was one of the reasons the game stayed close for too long, and a tired, cranky group grew increasingly annoyed with the in-your-face Nets.

After one of the close encounters with Claxton and Williams, Dončić got into it with a Nets forward, earning a double technical. It was his 16th of the season, after his previous one from a trash-talking duel with Goga Bitadze had been rescinded.

I’m sure the Lakers will appeal this one as well, trying to prevent Dončić from missing the next game against the Wizards due to a suspension. However, getting an extra day of rest for the league’s leading scorer, who has averaged 39 minutes per game over the last eight games, might not be a terrible outcome either.

Source: NBA official website

The Lakers will have two days of rest before facing the Wizards, but then play a very important game against the Cavaliers the following night on a back-to-back. A suspension would give Dončić essentially three full days of rest, which feels like a godsend after a brutal March in which he has already played 15 games and logged 560 minutes and 558 points. Reaves, who has played 40 minutes in this and several other recent games, is another player who will welcome this mini two-day break to rest and recover.

Jaxson Hayes has quietly become one of the Lakers’ most reliable tone‑setters, and the numbers back it up. Averaging 2.4 blocks per game over the last five contests isn’t just a hot streak — it’s a statement. He’s anchoring the paint, erasing mistakes, and giving the Lakers a defensive backbone exactly when they need it most.

What makes Hayes so valuable is that he never tries to be anything other than what the team needs. He runs the floor, protects the rim, finishes everything around the basket, and brings an energy that lifts the entire second unit. He’s not hunting stats, he’s not forcing touches — he’s playing winning basketball. And that consistency is gold on a roster full of stars and evolving roles.

Every contender needs a guy who embraces the dirty work, who brings effort every night, who doesn’t need headlines to stay locked in. Hayes has been that guy. While others get the spotlight, he’s been the one quietly tilting games with hustle, timing, and pure effort.

If you’ve been watching closely, you know:
Jaxson Hayes has been one of the Lakers’ most dependable role players all season — and his impact is only growing.

The man deserves his flowers.

Re: “This is a personal breakout that nobody expected.”

Well said, Tom!

Luka Dončić had 3 or more steals 17 games this season. For comparison:Cade Cunningham – 13 gamesNikola Jokić – 10 gamesShai Gilgeous-Alexander – 8 gamesVictor Wembanyama – 6 gamesJaylen Brown – 5 games pic.twitter.com/RTs1wrFzJR— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) March 27, 2026

Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderNikola JokićVictor WembanyamaCade CunninghamJaylen Brown(Combined together)40/5/5 games this season: 12 in 303 games.Luka Dončić40/5/5 games this season:14 in 61 games.Luka has more 40/5/5 games this season than 5 other best players combined… pic.twitter.com/XQLOzbk3BW— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) March 27, 2026

“And he continues to drop in MVP race, which is insane to me. I guess it don’t really matter. Maybe he’s gotta score 60 I don’t know”AR defending Luka after dropping another 40pt game pic.twitter.com/oISCCMDb5u— 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅 🏆 (@PurpGolded) March 28, 2026

Austin Reaves postgame just now:“He continues to drop in the MVP race, which is insane…….”People will talk about the 41 points, but overlook another great defensive game w/ 3 steals (34 in March) and 1 block.We don’t care about the media politics— This is the MVP!! 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/34k3c1lpZ9— HeroOfTheDay (@Hero_OfThe_Day) March 28, 2026

30-point streaks this season:Luka Doncic – 12 games (active)Luka – 9 SGA – 7Luka is averaging 39.7 PPG during the streak (11-1)“He continues to drop in the MVP race, that’s insane to me. Guess it don’t really matter. Guess he has to score 60.”- Austin Reaves #LUKAMVP pic.twitter.com/AZeIjfEf1Z— The Laker Files (@LakerFiles) March 28, 2026

LUKA DONCIC IS THE MVP 🪄 🔥 (via @realapp) pic.twitter.com/dCbbhXujl5— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) March 28, 2026

There is a possibility that Luka wins Player of the Month and is ranked LOWER on the MVP ladder than where he started the month 🤯I just don’t know how the MVP award has any credibility if this happens pic.twitter.com/lULy0TmC2j— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) March 27, 2026

100 steals on the season for Luka 🫡The first Laker since Kobe in 2012-13 and the ONLY player this season with a 30+ PPG average and 100+ steals. pic.twitter.com/oYo0KDX4zy— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 28, 2026

“Yea hopefully but the better I play the more I go down in ratings so I don’t know what more I can do” – Luka when asked what getting MVP award would mean to him. pic.twitter.com/rxOKxcLR2h— Luka Updates (@LukaUpdates) March 28, 2026

40 pts games this season:Luka: 15Shai+Jokic+Wemby: 13 https://t.co/Gd5Usyd8qQ— NBA Shane (@Shane00) March 28, 2026

Bronny James: “The last time I played [LeBron] 1-on-1 – I don’t know if this story came out – but he broke a backboard at our house in Miami”Austin Reaves, at the next locker: “It was ‘cause you won?”Bronny: *Nods yes*AR: “Yeahhh! You can say that. Don’t leave that out!” pic.twitter.com/yKibBByfYd— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 28, 2026

Tonight, LeBron James passed the basketball to this little guy in an NBA game and he drilled a three-pointer.READ THAT AGAIN pic.twitter.com/g37eGQTqPm— Witness King James (@WITNESSKJ) March 28, 2026

HOW IS THIS A TECHNICAL FOUL ON LUKA???Rescind this BS @NBA pic.twitter.com/CIlTYbsDfG— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) March 28, 2026

BREAKING: The Lakers (48-26) have now won 14 of their last 16 games… 🤯They have the most wins in the NBA in the past month. pic.twitter.com/OtgNoX8F0L— Witness King James (@WITNESSKJ) March 28, 2026

The Lakers win, 116-99, to improve to 48-26. Luka 41 pts on 15-of-25 shooting (5-of-10 from 3) 8 reb; AR 28 pts on 7-of-13 (4-of-7 from 3) 8 reb 5 ast; LeBron 14 pts on 5-of-11 8 ast 6 reb; Hayes 10 pts 8 reb.— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 28, 2026

THE DON STRIKES AGAIN 🥶Luka with his 15TH 40-point game of the season to help the Lakers get a 116-99 home win against the Nets 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Yb0Z5W93KH— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) March 28, 2026

LUKA DONCIC TONIGHT:41 POINTS8 REBOUNDS 3 ASSISTS 3 STEALS15/25 FGM5/10 3PM6/6 FTM39 MINUTES ANOTHER 40-PIECE. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/fV1Lat1xv0— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 28, 2026

The Dončić twitch

The Indiana Pacers survived 60 seconds until the Luka Dončić they surely dreaded arrived.

The Los Angeles Lakers have won 10 of their last 11 games, a tear that Dončić has fueled. Whatever Dončić wants right now, he’s getting. And what he wants is a stepback 3-pointer.

The Pacers knew that. So did the other four Lakers on the court. It didn’t matter.

On Los Angeles’ second possession of Wednesday’s game, Dončić received a dribble handoff from center Jaxson Hayes. He went one step to the right against Indiana pest Aaron Nesmith, then crossed over to his left hand while above the 3-point arc. Once the crossover came, Nesmith knew where to go next. But he couldn’t reach Dončić.

No one can.

Dončić nailed the 3, spurring another 40-point outburst.

He’s averaging 39.5 points over this 11-game streak, which has vaulted him into the MVP conversation. Dončić may not win the award, but he’s climbing the ladder, just as the third-place Lakers are rising up the standings.

And during this time, he’s revealed a singular focus: Get to that left hand. And once he does, fire off a stepback.

Even by Dončić’s standards, his recent reliance on fadeaway 3-pointers is the stuff of fiction. Since March 6, when this hot streak began, he is chucking 8.5 stepback 3s a game, according to Second Spectrum.

It’s an average so gargantuan that it may be impossible to properly place into context. But let’s try.

James Harden, the king of the stepback, isn’t even averaging 8.5 3-point attempts per game this season, let alone 8.5 stepback 3s. Meanwhile, Dončić isn’t popping them errantly. He’s shooting 37 percent on stepback 3s over these 11 games.

The stepback is the final type of 3-pointer a shooter will develop, behind stand-still ones, off-the-dribble pull-ups and 3s while on the move. At first, the footwork scrambles toes and heels. Lower-body strength is necessary. It’s not easy to catapult a basketball 27 feet in the opposite direction your body is falling.

But Dončić does it. He was averaging 5.9 stepback 3s a game before this stretch began, which nearly doubled the average of the second-place Harden. Now, he’s blowing that number away. And it’s causing mass anxiety for defenses.

For example, only a few minutes after Dončić nailed that jumper over Nesmith, he drove left on Pascal Siakam, the one player on a tanking team who does not seem to know he’s on a tanking team (and props to Siakam for that). After one bounce, Dončić shuffled his feed backward, ducking behind the 3-point arc. Siakam reacted the only way he could. He had no choice but to chase the stepback.

He closed out, but Dončić kept his dribble and headed to the hoop. Siakam stayed true to the scouting report. Forget about cutting off the drive. Instead, press up against Dončić’s right shoulder from his backside. It’s reminiscent of the ways teams would strategize against Harden in his prime. But that created a lane to the paint, where Dončić lofted in a floater.

Dončić is taking 13.9 3-pointers per game during this stretch, most of which are stepbacks. And even the shots that aren’t 3s are coming because defenses are so nervous about preventing Dončić from getting to his old reliable.

The NBA presented three comprehensive anti-tanking concepts to its Board of Governors on Wednesday, with modifications expected to each before a formal vote in May, per ESPN sources.1. 18 teams in draft lottery (seeds 7-15 in each conference) – flattened odds, with bottom 10…— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 27, 2026

I say this with every round of lottery reform concepts and I’ll reiterate now: any concept that allows Play-In or playoff teams to get the No. 1 pick entirely defeats the purpose of the reverse-order draft as a talent balancing mechanism. The cure is worse than the disease.— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) March 27, 2026

Addressing tanking by creating the most confusing lottery system in the history of sports is not the answer. The NBA has some work to do before any reforms come up for a vote in May.— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) March 27, 2026