The Los Angeles Lakers suffered their second defeat of the season while the Cleveland Cavaliers’ season is off to an electrifying start, and their 134-110 win added another impressive chapter. On a night that held special significance for LeBron James and his son, Bronny, Cleveland fans witnessed the younger James notch his first NBA points on a smooth 14-foot jumper, having checked in at 5:16 in the game.
But Cleveland’s dominance was clear from the start, with Donovan Mitchell’s consecutive 3-pointers igniting a first-quarter surge that gave the Cavs a commanding 19-point lead. Lakers star Anthony Davis put up 22 points and 13 rebounds, while LeBron finished with 26 points, yet neither overcame Cleveland’s fast pace and energy on both ends. On a historic night for LeBron and Bronny, we provide a grade for every Lakers player who made the court.
LeBron James: B+
Stats: 26 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 6 turnovers, 9-13 FG, 1-3 3-PT FG, 7-7 FT, 29 mins
LeBron delivered a strong performance with 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting, going 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. He contributed 6 rebounds and 3 assists, though his 6 turnovers hindered the Lakers’ flow. LeBron’s scoring efficiency was impressive, but the Lakers needed more consistent offensive support around him to stay competitive against Cleveland’s momentum. We can’t be too harsh on the 39-year-old star’s production because he countered his turnovers with excellent all-around play.Â
Anthony Davis: B+
Stats: 22 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 0 blocks, 4 turnovers, 9-17 FG, 0-1 3-PT FG, 4-8 FT, 31 mins
Davis posted a solid double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds. He shot 9-of-17 from the field, providing energy on the boards and two steals. His four turnovers and struggles at the free-throw line (4-of-8) limited his impact slightly, but he played a major role defensively, although he could have asserted himself even more on offense to sway the game. Regardless, Davis has continued his MVP form which is why he is leading the race for the prestigious individual award after one week of the NBA season has passed.Â
Derrick Knecht: B
Stats: 18 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 turnover, 6-12 FG, 2-7 3-PT FG, 4-4 FT, 22 mins
Sharpshooter Dalton Knecht provided valuable offense with 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including a perfect 4-of-4 from the line. Although his 2-for-7 shooting from three showed room for improvement, he added an energy boost off the bench that was critical in stretches. His scoring was timely, though he’ll need to hit from deep more consistently to elevate his impact.
D’Angelo Russell: C
Stats: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, 2-7 FG, 0-3 3-PT FG, 6-6 FT, 24 mins
Russell had a quiet night offensively, scoring 10 points on just 2-of-7 shooting but contributing 5 assists without any turnovers. His playmaking was a bright spot, yet his low-scoring output left the Lakers needing more to counter Cleveland’s firepower. He facilitated well but needs to be more aggressive offensively to capitalize on his scoring ability.
Rui Hachimura: C
Stats: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers, 4-6 FG, 0-1 3-PT FG, 0-0 FT, 28 mins
Rui Hachimura was efficient with 8 points on 4-of-6 shooting, adding 5 rebounds and 2 assists. His defense and rebounding were solid, yet he struggled to create his own shot, which limited his offensive impact. As a role player, he filled his role well, though the Lakers could have used a more assertive performance from him to provide depth in scoring.
Austin Reaves: C-
Stats: 7 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 4 turnovers, 2-6 FG, 1-4 3-PT FG, 2-2 FT, 28 mins
Austin Reaves struggled with efficiency, shooting 2-of-6 from the field and committing four turnovers. He added 7 points and 3 assists, but his shot selection and ball-handling were inconsistent throughout. Reaves has the skill set to be a bigger contributor, but he’ll need to improve his decision-making under pressure to avoid costly mistakes.
Jaxson Hayes: C
Stats: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 1 turnover, 2-2 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 2-2 FT, 19 mins
Hayes scored 6 points on 2-of-2 shooting, adding 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal. His athleticism and energy were beneficial, though his minutes were limited. While he made the most of his opportunities, the Lakers needed more of a defensive presence from him to counter Cleveland’s dominant bigs.
Gabe Vincent: C
Stats: 5 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 turnover, 2-5 FG, 1-3 3-PT FG, 0-0 FT, 16 mins
Vincent scored 5 points on 2-of-5 shooting, including 1-of-3 from deep, and added no other stats in limited minutes. His shooting touch showed flashes, but his overall impact was minimal. Vincent’s role on the team will require more consistent offense, especially from three, to help space the floor.
Max Christie: D
Stats: 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, 1-6 FG, 1-5 3-PT FG, 3-4 FT, 27 mins
Christie struggled with his shot, going 1-of-6 from the field, including 1-of-5 from three, for just 6 points. While he managed a steal and a block, his shooting inconsistency hindered his impact. Christie’s hustle on defense was notable, but he’ll need to develop his shot selection to contribute more effectively.
Cam Reddish: NA
Stats: 0 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 turnover, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 0-0 FT, 9 mins
Reddish didn’t score, missing his only shot attempt, but added a rebound in 9 minutes. He didn’t have enough time to make a noticeable impact in this matchup. As he becomes more integrated into the rotation, his length and defensive potential could make him a valuable piece off the bench.
Bronny James: NA
Stats: 2 points, 0 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, 1-2 FG, 0-1 3-PT FG, 0-0 FT, 5 mins
Bronny scored his first NBA points on a smooth jumper, marking a memorable milestone in just five minutes on the floor. While his stat line was minimal, his debut showed promise, especially with his composure in handling the ball. As he gains more minutes, fans will watch to see how he builds on this solid start.
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