This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Ayton ended with two points (1-3 FG), six rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 33 minutes during Friday's 112-108 overtime win over the Rockets in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Ayton failed to have a meaningful impact for a second straight game, recording just two points despite playing heavy minutes. Although the Lakers now lead the series 3-0, Ayton's questionable defensive efforts cannot be unseen. While advancing to the next round feels like a very real possibility for Los Angeles, a potential matchup with the Thunder is cause for concern given Oklahoma City's sizable interior.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Rui Hachimura: Pops for 22 points Friday
Rotowire
Hachimura logged 22 points (8-14 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 2-4 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one steal across 44 minutes during Friday's 112-108 overtime victory over the Rockets in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Hachimura had his best game of the playoffs thus far, scoring 22 points and knocking down four triples. It's all hands on deck for the Lakers right now, with multiple role players stepping up on a nightly basis. Now with a 3-0 series lead, Los Angeles will look to wrap things up when the two teams meet again Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Marcus Smart: Outstanding in Game 3 win
Rotowire
Smart racked up 21 points (5-9 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 9-11 FT), four rebounds, 10 assists, two blocks and five steals across 39 minutes during Friday's 112-108 overtime victory over the Rockets in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Smart continues to play his best basketball of the season, turning in what might be his best performance in several years. With the Lakers still down on troops, Smart appears to have taken it upon himself to lead from the front, averaging 20.3 points, 8.3 assists, 2.7 three-pointers and 5.4 combined steals-plus-blocks across three games. Los Angeles now leads the series 3-0 heading into Game 4 in Houston on Sunday.
James finished Friday's 112-108 overtime win over the Rockets in Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs with 29 points (10-22 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block in 45 minutes.
James led the Lakers in points and rebounds while matching the team high in three-pointers. After a few miscues down the stretch, the 41-year-old came up clutch late, recording a pivotal steal with 20 seconds remaining before knocking down the game-tying triple with 14 seconds left in regulation. He finished second on the Lakers in steals and has tallied multiple swipes in two of three first-round games. James and the Lakers will now look to close out the series in Sunday's Game 4 in Houston.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Austin Reaves: Won't play Friday
Rotowire
Reaves (oblique) has been ruled out for Friday's Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round series against Houston, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
After being upgraded to questionable, Reaves has been ruled out for an eighth consecutive contest due to a left oblique strain. The 27-year-old guard can be considered questionable for Sunday's Game 4 in Houston. With Reaves sidelined, Luke Kennard should continue to take on an expanded role.
LaRavia (ankle) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Game 3 against the Rockets on Friday.
LaRavia was forced to exit Tuesday's Game 2 early after picking up a minor ankle sprain, but the issue won't force him to miss additional action. He's recorded six total points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal through his first two appearances of the first round against Houston.
Reaves (oblique) is questionable for Game 3 against the Rockets on Friday, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.
This report aligns with information that was received earlier in the week that Reaves could return at some point during the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. He'll presumably need to clear a few more hurdles in order to suit up Friday night, but overall, this is a great sign for the Lakers. Another update on Reaves' availability should arrive closer to tipoff.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' Jake LaRavia: Diagnosed with minor ankle sprain
Rotowire
LaRavia is day-to-day with a minor right-ankle sprain, per Dan Woike of The Athletic.
LaRavia left Tuesday's Game 2 win over the Rockets in the fourth quarter with an apparent right leg injury and has since been diagnosed with a sprain. The fourth-year forward's status appears to be in serious jeopardy for Game 3 on Friday, and his chances of playing should be revealed once the Lakers release an official injury report.
Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Chips in full stat line in win
Rotowire
Hayes accumulated six points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-5 FT), four rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal in 21 minutes during Tuesday's 101-94 win over the Rockets in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Hayes had missed the Lakers' final four contests of the regular season due to left foot soreness, but he's back to handling his typical role as the top backup center behind Deandre Ayton this postseason. As long as Ayton stays healthy, however, Hayes could have a hard time cracking the 20-minute plateau on a consistent basis.
1:51
1:29
1:11
1:29
1:38
1:20
0:27
1:44
12:36
1:43
1:07
10:06
12:18
2:18
0:58
1:36
1:18
1:05
0:26
1:21
