Anthony Davis delivered a commanding performance with 36 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists to propel the Los Angeles Lakers to a 132-122 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night. The Lakers, playing without LeBron James due to illness, leaned on a balanced offensive effort to compensate for his absence.
Austin Reaves stepped up with 26 points and a career-high 16 assists, while Rui Hachimura added 21 points. Max Christie and Dalton Knecht contributed 16 and 18 points, respectively, off the bench.
The game marked the Kings’ first under interim coach Doug Christie following the controversial firing of Mike Brown on Friday. De’Aaron Fox led Sacramento with 29 points and 12 assists, and DeMar DeRozan added 25 points. However, the Kings’ defensive struggles were evident as the Lakers frequently attacked the paint and earned 33 free-throw attempts.
Los Angeles broke the game open with a 12-0 run spanning the third and fourth quarters, building a 20-point lead. Although Sacramento cut the deficit to 123-117 with less than four minutes remaining, clutch plays from Reaves and Christie helped the Lakers secure the win.
A pivotal moment came late in the third quarter when Domantas Sabonis picked up his fifth foul, forcing him to the bench as the Lakers capitalized by dominating inside. Sabonis eventually fouled out with 5:20 left in the game.
The victory improved the Lakers’ record to 2-1 without James this season, with Hachimura playing a key role in both wins, including a 23-point performance against Portland earlier this month. With an impressive victory that had the offense flowing on Saturday night, let’s grade the Lakers players.
Anthony Davis: A+
Stats: 36 PTS, 15 REB, 8 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PF, 12-16 FG, 1-1 3PT, 11-13 FT, +21, 39 MIN
Anthony Davis dominated in every aspect of the game, delivering 36 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists while shooting a phenomenal 12-of-16 from the field. He carried the Lakers in the absence of LeBron James, consistently exploiting the Kings’ interior defense and earning 11 free throws. His ability to anchor both the offense and defense while maintaining a +21 plus/minus showcased his MVP-level impact.
Austin Reaves: A+
Stats: 26 PTS, 6 REB, 16 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 5 TO, 3 PF, 9-16 FG, 3-4 3PT, 5-8 FT, +15, 43 MIN
Austin Reaves had a career-best night, tallying 26 points and an impressive 16 assists. His playmaking was instrumental in orchestrating the Lakers’ offense, especially in the absence of James. He was efficient from the field, shooting 9-of-16, and delivered clutch plays late in the game to stave off a Kings’ comeback. Reaves’ ability to handle extended minutes and pressure situations highlighted his growth as a primary playmaker.
Rui Hachimura: B+
Stats: 21 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 7-11 FG, 4-5 3PT, 3-3 FT, -1, 34 MIN
Rui Hachimura provided a strong scoring spark with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. His efficient scoring and defensive presence, including 2 blocks, were key contributions. However, his -1 plus/minus suggests he was slightly less impactful during his minutes compared to his teammates.
Dalton Knecht: B+
Stats: 18 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 6-10 FG, 2-5 3PT, 4-4 FT, +9, 33 MIN
Rookie Dalton Knecht impressed with his offense, scoring 18 points efficiently on 6-of-10 shooting. He provided a reliable offensive option and converted all four of his free-throw attempts. While his overall impact (+9) was positive, his contributions were limited to scoring, with only 2 rebounds and 1 assist.
Max Christie: B+
Stats: 16 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 5 PF, 5-8 FG, 3-5 3PT, 3-3 FT, -7, 32 MIN
Christie continued to impress with his energy and scoring efficiency, contributing 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 3 triples. He added 2 steals and a block, showcasing his defensive potential. However, his 5 personal fouls limited his ability to stay on the floor and maximize his impact.
D’Angelo Russell: C+
Stats: 9 PTS, 2 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 4-10 FG, 1-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, +4, 28 MIN
Russell had a quieter game offensively, scoring just 9 points on 4-of-10 shooting. While he contributed 4 assists, his lack of aggression and limited scoring output were underwhelming for a player of his caliber. His +4 plus/minus indicates he wasn’t detrimental but failed to leave a significant mark.
Cam Reddish: C
Stats: 2 PTS, 1 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-2 FT, +4, 19 MIN
Reddish had a minimal impact, scoring just 2 points in 19 minutes. While he contributed a steal and 2 assists, he struggled to find his rhythm offensively, shooting 1-of-3 from the field. His +4 plus/minus suggests he was neutral in his time on the court.
Christian Koloko: N/A
Stats: 4 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 2-2 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 5 MIN
Koloko played just 5 minutes, logging 4 points on perfect shooting. While efficient in his limited time, his brief stint didn’t allow him to significantly influence the game.
Gabe Vincent: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, +9, 7 MIN
Vincent also saw limited action, playing 7 minutes and recording no points. While he grabbed 1 rebound and posted a +9 plus/minus, his limited involvement makes it difficult to assess his performance comprehensively.
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