FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

“Nothing.”

That’s how JJ Redick summed up what his team came up with last night. The other thing the visibly upset Redick revealed in a very brief postgame session was that he knew it would be a long night after the first two minutes.

The Lakers certainly looked like they’d had a long night before, coming out completely flat after two days of rest against a team on the second night of a back-to-back and missing four of its five best players. Yes, trap games like this, when you take it easy against an undermanned team, happen in an 82-game NBA season. The Lakers themselves just won one five days ago in Portland, in what we called a culture-setting win.

Still, this was a very disappointing showing. In my preview, I wrote that this and the next game in Charlotte were chances for the Lakers to prove their contender worth by taking care of business. They failed miserably at the first hurdle.

Programming note: With this game, we’ve reached the 10-game mark. So tomorrow, instead of the Hornets preview, I’ll publish an early trends piece looking at the first signals.

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Today’s notes:

Not good enough for complacency

When Luka isn’t feeling the stage

Big-picture lesson I: too much finesse

Big-picture lesson II: Lakers struggles against speed and movement

The other side of Deandre Ayton

1-Not good enough for complacency

The most disappointing part about this game is that the Lakers aren’t good enough to afford that level of complacency. They were a surprising 7–2 heading into this one, but their net rating, defensive rank, and the way they’d won most games showed they’re not a top-five team yet. This is an undermanned group that’s been winning thanks to an outlier hot shooting start, hustle, and a few breaks going their way in close games.

Last night was a good reminder that their 7–3 record doesn’t fully reflect where they actually are as a team right now. It was their worst defensive performance of the season, dropping them to 22nd in defensive rating. That result, even with key absences, is another sign this team is still very much a work in progress.

2-When Luka isn’t feeling the stage

What makes Luka Dončić such a special player to watch is that, typically, the bigger the stage and the tougher the challenge, the better he performs. He lives for big-stage games — and you’ll take that every time from your superstar.

The downside of that equation is that in games where there’s no one to light that fire on the other end, you sometimes get a “meh” performance or even a stinker against bottom dwellers or depleted teams like the Hawks were. It’s not that Dončić, who had a 22/6/4 stat line at halftime, played terribly or was the main culprit in this defeat. This was a collective no-show, a low-energy, low-focus, no-urgency game, and Dončić was part of it. Without other leaders like James or Reaves to steady the ship, there was no one to prevent the wreck.

3-Big-picture lesson I: too much finesse

When everyone is locked in, the Lakers’ starting unit with Dončić, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves, and eventually LeBron James will be one of the most offensively skilled groups in basketball. In past game observations, I’ve spent plenty of time praising Hachimura and Ayton for how their skill level exceeds that of a typical role player or fourth or fifth starter. Their ability to step up and score was instrumental in filling the gaps during the early absences of James, Dončić, and Reaves.

But like Dončić and Reaves, both Hachimura and Ayton are more finesse players than high-motor energizers who dominate through physicality and effort. Up to this point, Redick has done a good job of both pushing them to play harder and complementing them with high-motor players like Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, and Jarred Vanderbilt. But last night, the Lakers started out far too lackadaisical and unfocused, and the much hungrier Hawks simply ran away with it.

4-Big-picture lesson II: Lakers struggles against speed and movement

Speaking of running away, going into this game, as in almost every other one, I stressed in my preview that the Lakers are a precise, finesse, half-court team. They usually hold a clear edge in playmaking, but they don’t have the athleticism or speed to keep up in an open-floor game. The key to keeping the game in the half court is to avoid low-focus, unforced early turnovers, which have been a concerning pattern this season and allowed the young, fast Hawks to dominate the Lakers in transition.

The other issue exposed last night was the Lakers’ defense against teams that play fast, both with and without the ball. We’ve seen it against the Warriors, even in the win over Miami, and again last night. In my preview, I noted how Quin Snyder has his team driving and cutting, and the Hawks put on a cutting clinic against a stagnant and inattentive Lakers shell defense.

5-The other side of Deandre Ayton

Overall, Deandre Ayton was a positive surprise over the first ten games, and his contributions were crucial in several wins. Ayton’s effort and focus watch was a theme in most of my game observations. Games like last night are why that will remain the case for the remainder of the season.

Ayton turned the ball over on the first play of the game, a set designed specifically for him to get a seal at the rim against the smaller Onyeka Okongwu, but he failed to catch the pass. He wasn’t nearly assertive or composed enough the rest of the night, and the Lakers committed two more turnovers trying to feed him on similar seals. Early in the third quarter, with the Lakers trying to mount a comeback, Ayton had another rough stretch. He first got in Dončić’s way, causing a turnover in transition, then sank too deep in the paint, allowing Mouhamed Gueye to hit an open three. On the following set play, instead of finding Dončić for an easy layup off a cut, Ayton threw a soft pass that led to a turnover and two free throws on the other end. It was a devastating sequence that killed the momentum and prompted Redick to bench Ayton just three minutes into the second half. The move didn’t change much for the Lakers, as they continued their lackadaisical play, and Redick raised the white flag by benching the remaining starters midway through the third quarter.

Despite the loss, the Lakers are still 7–3, and given all the early-season absences, there isn’t a Lakers fan out there who wouldn’t have gladly taken that start. Losses like this happen in the NBA, but this one was bad enough that Redick should use it as another reference point. A reminder that the floor for this team, when it’s not fully focused, is lower than they might think.

Q: Was there a moment in that 3Q you realized that this was not going to be one of those nights where your first unit was not going to get back…?JJ Redick: "I realized that in the first two minutes of the game."Q: What did you see in those first two minutes?JJ: "Nothing." https://t.co/IB16Pfc4C4 pic.twitter.com/RWWDoB7PA1— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) November 9, 2025

JJ Redick was PISSED after the Lakers lost to the very shorthanded Hawks (h/t @ohnohedidnt24)pic.twitter.com/1a33d2NUaR— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) November 9, 2025

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

Austin Reaves has been positively electric for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. His notable uptick in productivity has made it obvious that he is becoming the exact kind of star that this team wants to have playing alongside Luka Doncic.

Through the first eight games of the Lakers’ season, Reaves is averaging a stunning 31.1 points per game. This prolonged stretch of high level play is indicative of the fact that Austin is not simply riding a hot streak. Rather, he’s evolving and becoming an even greater player than he was before.

Lakers fans have been ecstatic to see this leap unfolding in real time. Reaves’ confidence, shot creation, and ability to control the pace of the game are all pointing toward a legitimate breakout. And at the end of the day, his productivity as well as style of play look to fit alongside LA’s best player like a glove.

Austin has been demonstrating his expertise in attacking closeouts, playing off the catch, and handling secondary creation responsibilities in the absence of LeBron James to begin this season. He’s been getting it done so consistently and at such a high level that he looks like exactly the kind of guard who can thrive alongside a heliocentric superstar.

Reaves is reaching a new level this season

As LeBron’s career winds down, it was obvious that when thinking about the big picture, the Lakers were going to need a younger and composed a guy who could handle a lot of responsibility and big moments. Number 77 was already this franchise’s new centerpiece from the moment he arrived in town, but it was also evident that he was going to need a co-star at some point.

When you watch Reaves play, he really brings a blend of poise and fearlessness that, frankly, few players possess. It’s not likely that he’ll ever be able to replicate the type of impact LeBron brought during his best years, but Austin’s rise ensures the Lakers will be more than okay in a crowded Western Conference going forward.

The individual performances have been simply jaw-dropping to this point. Reaves has already dropped 51 and 41 points in back-to-back games against Sacramento and Portland last week. He’s still yet to score under 20 points in any game this season.

That shows the kind of peaks he can reach as well as the consistency he has been playing with every night out. Should he sustain anything close to this level of performance for the rest of the season, he’s going to be squarely at the center of the Lakers’ future plans for many years to come. With he and Luka Doncic as the organization’s two stars, LA will be on a path to contention for another decade or more.

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

Now in the midst of a five-game winning streak, the Lakers head to the road where they will take on the Atlanta Hawks first on Saturday. This will mark the beginning of a five-game trip away from home, as the Lakers’ undefeated road record will be tested.

The Lakers’ upcoming road trip will see them travel east, then west, then east again as they face the Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, and then the Milwaukee Bucks.

Given how well the Lakers are playing, they should be able to go at worst 3-2 on the trip, but 4-1 or even 5-0 is not out of the realm of possibility.

Saturday’s match against the Hawks — who are coming off a loss and will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back — will feature no Trae Young, who is currently recovering from a sprained MCL in his right knee.

Still, they’re a fairly decent team without him, led by Jalen Johnson, Kristaps Porziņģis, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Dyson Daniels. They have capable bodies to throw at Luka Dončić, who will have to carry the Lakers once again without Austin Reaves and LeBron James.

For Los Angeles to win this one, they need to expose the Hawks’ mediocre offense and defense. Atlanta averages 116.6 points per game, which is 17th in the league. On top of that, they have the 16th-best defense, so it’ll be up to the purple and gold to overwhelm them on that side of the floor.

The matchup that will be interesting to follow is the one between Deandre Ayton and Porziņģis. In this young season, Ayton has now outplayed Rudy Gobert, Bam Adebayo and even Victor Wembanyama in LA’s most recent win against the Spurs.

He should be able to manage Porziņģis, whose numbers have actually been at his lowest since his rookie year. Whoever owns the paint and imposes their will will dictate their team’s success in this one.

Ultimately, for the Lakers, it’s just a matter of playing team basketball like they have for most of the young season. They need to stay composed in these games on the road and play with the force, discipline and dedication that they’ve shown they’re very much capable of doing. If they do that, it’ll be a successful road trip.

Let’s see if the Lakers can start things off on a strong note against the Hawks on Saturday.

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

The Lakers start their five-game road trip in Atlanta. The vibes are high after a high-profile win over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, and despite Austin Reaves still dealing with a right groin strain that will keep him out for a third straight game, this feels like a prime opportunity to extend the winning streak to six.

The Hawks, meanwhile, are on the second night of a back-to-back after dropping their Emirates NBA Cup game to the Toronto Raptors last night and will again be without the hub of their offense, Trae Young, who’s sidelined for several weeks with a sprained MCL in his right knee.

Even without LeBron James and Austin Reaves, the Lakers need to capitalize on the schedule. They enter Atlanta with a clear rest advantage, while the Hawks are on a back-to-back and could sit a key player like Kristaps Porziņģis. This game, and the next one in Charlotte, are chances to stack wins against weaker Eastern Conference teams before facing the league-best Thunder on the third stop of the trip.

Lakers (8-2) vs Hawks (4-5) game facts

Rest: LAL on 2 days of rest; ATL on 0 days of rest (second night of back-to-back)

Ranking: LAL 12th in Point Diff (+3.6), ATL 21st in Point Diff (-3.3)

LAL vs ATL 2025-26 record: 1-1

LAL injuries: LeBron James (OUT), Austin Reaves (OUT), Gabe Vincent (OUT), Adou Thiero (OUT), Maxi Kleber (questionable),

ATL injuries: Trae Young (OUT), Luke Kennard (questionable)

LAL projected starting five: Luka Dončić (G), Marcus Smart (G), Jake LaRavia (F), Rui Hachimura (F), Deandre Ayton (C)

LAL key reserves: Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, Jaxon Hayes, Bronny James, Nick Smith Jr.

ATL projected starting five: Dyson Daniels (G), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (G), Zaccharie Risacher (F), Jalen Johnson (F), Kristaps Porzingis (C)

ATL key reserves: Onyeka Okongwu, Mouhamed Gueye, Keaton Wallace, Vit Krejči

Key storyline: Prove contender worth by taking care of business

The Lakers have already made many rethink their preseason projections and ceiling. They’ve started the season in impressive fashion, winning seven of their first nine games despite prolonged absences from all three of their key players. However, a hot start brings higher expectations. To prove they truly belong among the conference’s top contenders, the Lakers need to handle business and take care of the next two games.

With Luka Dončić on their side, the Lakers once again have the best player on the floor and the ultimate advantage creator. On the other hand, the Hawks struggle most with playmaking and, without Trae Young, lack a player who can consistently bend the defense.

Lakers on offense | Hawks on defense

If Trae Young’s absence hurts Atlanta on offense, replacing him with Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the starting lineup has given their defense a real boost. The Hawks rank only 18th in overall defensive rating this season, but over the last four games without Young, they’ve been the sixth-best defense in the league. Daniels and Alexander-Walker form a strong defensive backcourt, though they may lack the size and strength to handle Dončić. Onyeka Okongwu is another solid piece, an undersized but mobile big who can switch and protect the rim. But the most impactful Hawks defender might be 6-foot-11 Mouhamed Gueye, whose length and activity can cause real problems.

With Gueye, Jalen Johnson, and Zaccharie Risacher, the Hawks have plenty of length and speed on the wing, but they lack bulk at the center spot, especially if Porzingis is unavailable. They rank among the bottom three teams in defensive rebounding, giving Deandre Ayton another chance to replicate the work he did on the glass against the Spurs and punish another lightweight frontcourt.

The key for the Lakers will be to take care of the ball against a defense led by the best ball hawk in basketball, last year’s All-Defense First Team selection and Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, Daniels. Daniels, Risacher, and Johnson are all fast, athletic players who thrive in transition, and speed is one of the Lakers’ main weaknesses. Controlling the pace and not letting the Hawks get out and run should be a top priority in this game.

Hawks on offense | Lakers on defense

No Young means no true point guard and no consistent advantage creator. In his absence, Daniels, Alexander-Walker, and Johnson have tried to fill the playmaking void by committee. But none is a reliable ball handler or decision-maker, and the Hawks have struggled badly with turnovers over the last three games. Alexander-Walker has committed 15 turnovers, while Daniels and Johnson have seven each during this stretch.

Atlanta Hawks game logs (source: Cleaning the Glass)

The Lakers need to collapse the defense around all three and force them to make decisions on the move and pass rather than finish, which is their natural preference.

Executing that plan and collapsing on drives around the aforementioned trio makes even more sense given another Hawks weakness, their lack of shooting. Atlanta is a team built on driving and creating rim pressure rather than outside shooting. The Hawks currently rank 23rd in three-point accuracy at 33 percent, with all of their main shooters except Luka Kennard (who missed the last game due to illness) hovering in the mid to low thirties.

The Lakers’ main issue over the last few games has been their inability to contain drives without fouling. The excessive foul rate is a concerning trend, and they’ll need to stay disciplined against a Quin Snyder led team that thrives on cutting, stampede drives, and other ways to attack the paint in motion.

Player spotlight: Jalen Johnson

I could easily go with Daniels here, as he’s one of the most exciting perimeter defenders in the league and his matchup with Dončić should be fun to watch. But I decided to go with the 23-year-old forward who, in Young’s absence, has become the Hawks’ best player, primary scorer, and main playmaker.

Watching the 6-foot-9 Johnson up close will be interesting, as he fits the mold of an athletic wing who could be a great long-term complement to a player like Dončić. He’s already one of the league’s best paint attackers, with more than half of his shots coming at the rim, and currently ranks fifth in made field goals per game in the painted area—just one spot behind Ayton.

I mentioned the Lakers’ struggles defending downhill players like Stephon Castle, Deni Avdija, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. over the last few games, and Johnson will present another major challenge and test in that area.

Final thoughts

The Lakers’ hot start has bought them time to get fully healthy and, hopefully soon, make a strong push with all three of their main stars back in the lineup. But their recent play has raised both expectations and confidence. They’ve shown they can win even when shorthanded and when things don’t go entirely their way. It would be a waste to let the good vibes and the winning streak fade now.