Some nights are grind-it-out affairs. This wasn’t one of them. From the opening stretch, the Lakers looked like a team with multiple engines under the hood, while Brooklyn spent most of the night trying to keep up. Every time the Nets made a push, Los Angeles answered with a poised possession, a transition burst, or a veteran play that settled things right back down.
The biggest separator was exactly what you’d expect – top-end talent. When LeBron James and Luka Doncic are both dictating tempo, reading defenses a step ahead, and getting everyone organized, the game starts tilting fast. Role players feasted on the space and rhythm, and by the fourth quarter, this one felt more like a controlled cruise than a tense finish.
LeBron James: A
Game Stats: 25 PTS, 3 REB, 7 AST, 3 STL, 1 TOV, 10-16 FG, 0-3 3-PT FG, 5-7 FT, 30 MIN
He seemed in no hurry. Against the smaller defenders, LBJ backed them down and dominated the switches. He’s a good passer to the shooters, and there was some great defense that was a bonus. It stole, and it sucked the energy out of the Nets for a comeback.
He didn’t have to dominate the ball to control the game. The Lakers were in control the whole night because of a few bully-ball to finish drives and steady playmaking.
Luka Doncic: A-
Game Stats: 24 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 5 TOV, 8-18 FG, 4-11 3-PT FG, 4-6 FT, 29 MIN
Doncic operated like a quarterback reading a soft zone. He probed, hesitated, then struck, whether that meant a step-back three or a pass to a cutter slipping behind the defense. The turnovers came from ambitious passes through traffic, but the overall offensive orchestration was worth it.
What stood out was how comfortable he looked sharing the stage with LeBron. There was no “your turn, my turn” awkwardness – just flow.
Jake LaRavia: A-
Game Stats: 18 PTS, 5 REB, 1 TOV, 1 STL, 7-9 FG, 1-2 3-PT FG, 3-6 FT, 22 MIN
LaRavia took most of his chances. He sliced the defense like no other, finished with a dunk, and confidently knocked a 3. When the stars of the game performed and pulled the defense towards the ring, it opened space to LaRavia, suggesting his cue. The energy he had during the defensive rebounds and the effort to get Brooklyn’s slow was the pitch.
Austin Reaves: B+
Game Stats: 15 PTS, 4 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 2 TOV, 3-9 FG, 1-5 3-PT FG, 8-10 FT, 21 MIN
In his first game back in a long time, Austin Reaves used his craftiness, attacking closeouts, and getting to the line to stack points when the jumper wasn’t dropping. He read the offensive passing lanes on defense, and he points to his game to do something on the stat sheet.
Reaves had a game that felt bigger than the box score.
Deandre Ayton: B+
Game Stats: 7 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 1 TOV, 3-5 FG, 1-2 FT, 28 MIN
Although Deandre Ayton got minimal points, he performed a lot of intangible things that go unappreciated. He made paint presence, regular boxing out, and smart short roll assists to keep the offense active.
When Ayton was positioned close to the rim, the Nets struggled to find any easy looks when attacking the paint, and that defensive impact was huge.
Marcus Smart: B+
Game Stats: 6 PTS, 3 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 TOV, 3-5 FG, 0-2 3-PT FG, 18 MIN
Smart’s impact went beyond the box score. He hounded ball handlers, blew up actions before they could develop, and gave the Lakers a defensive edge that set the tone early.
Offensively, he kept it simple – move the ball, take the right shot, don’t force the issue.
Rui Hachimura: B
Game Stats: 5 PTS, 3 REB, 1 STL, 1 TOV, 2-3 FG, 1-2 3-PT FG, 26 MIN
Hachimura slid into the flow of the game nicely. He spaced the floor, made quick decisions, and provided length on defense that bothered Brooklyn’s wings.
Not a high-usage night, but a clean one.
Jarred Vanderbilt: B
Game Stats: 6 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 2-3 FG, 0-1 3-PT FG, 2-4 FT, 19 MIN
Vanderbilt did Vanderbilt things – chasing rebounds, switching across positions, and injecting energy into defensive possessions. His activity level forced Brooklyn into rushed shots more than once.
The scoring was secondary, but the hustle was constant.
Jaxson Hayes: B
Game Stats: 9 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 3-3 FG, 3-4 FT, 15 MIN
Hayes gave the Lakers vertical spacing and energy in limited minutes. He ran the floor hard, finished around the rim, and stayed active defensively.
Efficient, focused minutes off the bench.
Dalton Knecht: C+
Game Stats: 4 PTS, 1 AST, 2-5 FG, 0-2 3-PT FG, 5 MIN
Short stint, quick green light. Knecht didn’t hesitate when looks came his way, even if they didn’t all fall. The confidence is clear.
Bronny James: C+
Game Stats: 4 PTS, 1 AST, 1 STL, 2-3 FG, 5 MIN
Bronny played within himself. He knocked down a couple clean looks and stayed engaged defensively. Short run, positive flashes.
Gabe Vincent: C
Game Stats: 0 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 0-3 FG, 0-2 3-PT FG, 16 MIN
The shot didn’t cooperate, but Vincent still contributed defensively. He jumped passing lanes and pressured the ball, helping maintain intensity with the second unit.
Drew Timme: N/A
Game Stats: 2 PTS, 2 REB, 1-3 FG, 6 MIN
Brief minutes, a couple solid interior touches, and some physical play inside. Limited impact, but steady.
Maxi Kleber: N/A
Game Stats: 0 MIN
Did not see meaningful action.
