When the NBA put together its schedule, Saturday’s matchup was probably envisioned quite differently from what actually unfolded. With Luka Doncic sidelined due to a hamstring injury and both Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler also out, the game saw Austin Reeves and LeBron James with some playing time opposite Draymond Green and Pat Spencer, creating a matchup far from the star-studded affair fans anticipated.
The Lakers struggled through much of the contest but managed to do just enough to edge out the Warriors and secure a victory. This game serves as a poignant reminder to savor every remaining face-off between LeBron and Steph while we still can.
Let’s break down some player performances, keeping in mind that grades reflect expectations, with a “B” indicating an average showing.
LeBron James
In 35 minutes, LeBron recorded 20 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, suffered 7 turnovers, and had a shooting line of 6-for-17 from the field, including 2-for-7 from three, and 6-for-7 at the free-throw line, ending with a +7 plus-minus. It was a strange outing for him — a poor first half, a brief burst in the early third quarter, before fading again.
Grade: D+
Rui Hachimura
Playing 28 minutes, Rui scored 18 points with 1 rebound and 1 block, along with 1 turnover on 7-for-10 shooting and 4-for-5 from beyond the arc. Over time, he’s become reliable enough that when he’s open for a three, fans fully expect it to drop.
Grade: A-
Jackson Hayes
Hayes logged 20 minutes, contributing 6 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block with 1 foul and 1 turnover. He shot 3-for-4 from the field and 0-for-1 on free throws. Although his return wasn’t terrible, his poorly thought-out stunt involving the Wizards’ mascot left a sour taste, and his explanation didn’t help.
Grade: B
Jake LaRavia
In 27 minutes, LaRavia managed 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks but committed 4 turnovers, shooting 1-for-5 overall and 0-for-3 from three-point range. He’s clearly capable of flashes of brilliance but will likely spend more time on the bench with Austin Reeves grabbing starting duties.
Grade: D
Marcus Smart
Smart contributed 15 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks in 33 minutes, with efficient free-throw shooting (8-for-9) and solid defensive work. He stepped up especially when the Lakers needed a steady ball-handler.
Grade: B+
Austin Reeves
Reeves played 24 minutes, scoring 16 points with 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, albeit with 5 turnovers. While not as explosive as his Thursday performance, many of his field goals were highlight-worthy and he noticeably elevated the team’s play while on the court.
Grade: A-
Jared Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt had 19 minutes of solid work, putting up 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, knocking down 2 of 3 threes, and finishing with a +11 plus-minus. He held his own against Draymond Green and had a strong night on the boards.
Grade: A
Luke Kennard
Kennard’s 26-minute debut showed promise with 10 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal on 4-for-7 shooting including 2-for-4 from three-point range. As he grows more comfortable with the team’s system, his impact should continue to improve.
Grade: Not provided, but performance encouraging.
Maxi Kleber
Following a standout game against the Sixers, Kleber followed up with a strong 28-minute showing against the Warriors, tallying 5 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block, and leading the team in plus-minus at +12.
Grade: A+
JJ Redick
Redick is doing all he can defensively to organize the team, but the Warriors repeatedly exploited their zone defense with quick passes leading to open threes and backdoor cuts. The defensive struggles aren’t fully on Redick, and he also earned credit for benching Gabe Vincent.
Grade: B+
Saturday Non-Participants: Bronny James, Dalton Knecht, Drew Timme, Nick Smith Jr.
Saturday Inactive: Luka Doncic, Adu Tiaro, Chris Magnus, Deandre Ayton
You can follow the author, Jacob, on Twitter @JacobRude or on Bluesky @jacobrude.bsky.social.
Fan Take: This atypical game highlights the unpredictable nature of the NBA when injuries reshuffle roles and opportunities arise for lesser-known players to shine. For basketball fans, it’s a glimpse into the depth of talent beyond superstars and a reminder of the excitement in every matchup, even when big names are missing.
