Grading Lakers Players After 120-115 Win Over Spurs: Davis Drops 40, LeBron Notches 4th Straight Triple-Double

The Los Angeles Lakers have gone up 8-4 on the season after defeating Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs tonight. Wembanyama had 28 points and 14 rebounds, but he could not overcome the presence of Anthony Davis (40 points, 12 rebounds) and LeBron James (15 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists). The Lakers rode their two stars all the way until the end, and they have to be appreciated accordingly. 

Anthony Davis, fresh off a 40-point performance, operated from the post with Victor Wembanyama guarding closely and the shot clock ticking away. Instead of forcing a tough shot, he delivered a pinpoint pass to a cutting LeBron James, who finished with a layup to seal the victory. The Lakers showcased balanced scoring, with six players hitting double digits, and we grade everyone who made the court tonight. 

Anthony Davis: A+

Stats: 40 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 1 foul, 2 turnovers, 14-26 FG, 2-4 3PT FG, 10-12 FT, 36 mins

Anthony Davis was dominant throughout the game, torching the Spurs for 40 points on efficient 14-of-26 shooting while also grabbing 12 rebounds. His defensive presence with 2 blocks and a steal complemented his offensive brilliance. Davis capped his performance with a critical assist to LeBron in the clutch, proving his playmaking awareness. This was a masterpiece against a tough matchup in Victor Wembanyama.

LeBron James: B+

Stats: 15 points, 16 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 0 fouls, 7 turnovers, 6-12 FG, 1-4 3PT FG, 2-4 FT, 38 mins

LeBron recorded another triple-double with 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists, showcasing his ability to impact the game with pure force and basketball IQ tonight. However, his 7 turnovers and inefficient 1-of-4 shooting from deep slightly diminish his grade. Despite those blemishes, his leadership and clutch play in sealing the win remain invaluable. It is still great to see The King compete at a high level even if his age is starting to finally show a little bit. 

Austin Reaves: B+

Stats: 19 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 3 fouls, 0 turnovers, 6-12 FG, 5-9 3PT FG, 2-2 FT, 32 mins

Austin Reaves was an excellent offensive spark, scoring 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including an impressive 5-of-9 from beyond the arc. His 6 assists and perfect free-throw shooting added to his solid contribution. Reaves was an essential part of the Lakers’ balanced scoring tonight and he has had an excellent campaign so far by averaging 18.6 points and 5.3 assists per game coming into the game. 

Dalton Knecht: B

Stats: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 fouls, 0 turnovers, 6-11 FG, 2-4 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 26 mins

Dalton Knecht added 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting, proving to be an efficient scorer in his minutes. However, his lack of impact in other areas (0 assists, steals, or blocks) holds him back from a higher grade. Still, his offensive contribution was valuable and the Lakers are always happy whenever their No. 17 overall pick can get his shots to fall. 

D’Angelo Russell: B

Stats: 13 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 1 turnover, 5-11 FG, 2-3 3PT FG, 1-1 FT, 30 mins

D’Angelo Russell had a mixed performance, scoring 13 points and tallying 6 assists, but his shooting was inconsistent (5-of-11). On the bright side, his 3 steals showed defensive effort, but his lack of overall impact in key moments limits his grade tonight. Russell will still receive a B for his consistent shooting and playmaking against less talented guards. 

Max Christie: B

Stats: 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 0 fouls, 0 turnovers, 4-7 FG, 1-3 3PT FG, 2-2 FT, 30 mins

Max Christie quietly put together an all-around solid game, scoring 11 points on efficient shooting (4-of-7) while adding 3 rebounds, a steal, and a block. His low turnover rate and effort on both ends made him a key role player in this win, and the Lakers will find themselves winning more games if the youngster can score the ball as he did tonight. 

Gabe Vincent: C+

Stats: 6 points, 2 rebounds, 0 assists, 3 steals, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 0 turnovers, 2-4 FG, 1-2 3PT FG, 1-2 FT, 20 mins

Gabe Vincent made the most of his 20 minutes, contributing 6 points on 2-of-4 shooting, including 3 steals that showed his defensive impact. While his offensive output was modest, his defensive presence and efficiency were notable and this might be the best performance from the point guard in a difficult season so far. 

Cam Reddish: C-

Stats: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 3 fouls, 0 turnovers, 0-3 FG, 0-2 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 19 mins

Cam Reddish had a forgettable outing, failing to score on 0-of-3 shooting and contributing little else in his 19 minutes. His 3 fouls and lack of impact offensively or defensively made this a game to forget for him despite earning some decent playing time from J.J. Redick. 

Christian Koloko: N/A

Stats: 2 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 fouls, 0 turnovers, 1-2 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 10 mins

Christian Koloko played just 10 minutes and scored 2 points on 1-of-2 shooting. His limited minutes make it difficult to assign a meaningful grade, though his brief stint was solid.