Grading Lakers Players vs. Jazz: LeBron And Luka Couldn’t Stop Markkanen In 119-131 Loss

LeBron James and Luka Doncic could not go 2-0 together as they fell to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, losing 119-131 in a blowout loss thanks to 32 points from Lauri Markkanen.

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Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t overcome a dominant third quarter from the Utah Jazz, falling 131-119 on Wednesday night despite a balanced offensive effort. Rui Hachimura led the Lakers with 19 points, while LeBron James contributed 18 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Luka Doncic, still adjusting to his new team, added 16 points, and Austin Reaves chipped in with 15 points and 11 assists.

The Lakers fought back after falling behind early, using consecutive 3-pointers from James and Reaves to cut the deficit to 74-69 in the third quarter. However, their momentum was short-lived as Utah unleashed a game-changing 22-2 run, highlighted by three straight layups from Jordan Clarkson and a tip-in dunk from Walker Kessler. 

Los Angeles struggled to respond offensively during that stretch, going five minutes with just one field goal. The Lakers found a late spark when Bronny James scored a career-high nine points in the fourth quarter, but the deficit was too large to overcome. 

Despite their recent six-game winning streak, the Lakers couldn’t match Utah’s energy, particularly on defense, where Kessler recorded five blocks and the Jazz scored on eight consecutive possessions during their third-quarter surge. Los Angeles will look to rebound after a game where they showed flashes of their potential and we provide a grade for every one of their players. 


Rui Hachimura: B

Stats: 19 PTS, 3 REB (0 OREB, 3 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 8-15 FG, 3-5 3PT, 0-1 FT, -16, 30 MIN

Hachimura was the Lakers’ most consistent scorer, finishing with a team-high 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. While his offensive contributions were solid, his lack of impact on the boards (just three rebounds) and defense left the Lakers vulnerable during key moments. Hachimura’s scoring versatility remains a strength, but his -16 plus/minus underscores the team’s struggles when he was on the floor.


LeBron James: B

Stats: 18 PTS, 6 REB (1 OREB, 5 DREB), 7 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 3 PF, 6-13 FG, 4-8 3PT, 2-4 FT, -10, 34 MIN

LeBron had a solid but unspectacular night by his lofty standards, tallying 18 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. He shot well from deep (4-of-8 from three) but was less effective inside and at the line, going 2-for-4 on free throws. His leadership kept the Lakers competitive early, but he couldn’t rally them back during Utah’s dominant run in the third quarter. While his overall effort was commendable, this wasn’t one of LeBron’s takeover performances.


Austin Reaves: B

Stats: 15 PTS, 5 REB (1 OREB, 4 DREB), 11 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 4-15 FG, 1-10 3PT, 6-8 FT, -13, 36 MIN

Reaves was a mixed bag, contributing 15 points and an impressive 11 assists, but his inefficiency from the field (4-of-15) and beyond the arc (1-of-10) hurt the Lakers. He kept attacking, drawing fouls and converting six free throws, but his shooting struggles were a major factor in the Lakers’ inability to keep pace. Reaves’ playmaking remains a bright spot, but he’ll need to rediscover his shooting rhythm for the team to succeed.


Luka Doncic: C+

Stats: 16 PTS, 4 REB (1 OREB, 3 DREB), 4 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 5 TO, 5 PF, 6-13 FG, 3-8 3PT, 1-5 FT, -19, 23 MIN

Doncic’s night was a rollercoaster as he continues to adjust to his role on the Lakers. He scored 16 points and hit three triples but was plagued by turnovers (five) and foul trouble (five fouls in just 23 minutes). His -19 plus/minus highlighted his struggles to maintain consistency on both ends. While he showed flashes of his star quality, Doncic will need to clean up the miscues to be a true difference-maker.


Shake Milton: C+

Stats: 9 PTS, 4 REB (3 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 0 PF, 3-5 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2-2 FT, +5, 12 MIN

Milton made the most of his limited minutes, contributing nine points and four rebounds in just 12 minutes of action. His hustle on the glass (three offensive rebounds) and efficient shooting (3-of-5) provided a small boost off the bench. Though his +5 plus/minus was one of the best on the team, Milton’s short stint didn’t allow him to make a larger impact on the outcome.


Dalton Knecht: C+

Stats: 10 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 3-7 FG, 3-7 3PT, 1-2 FT, -3, 17 MIN

Knecht had a serviceable outing, scoring 10 points while shooting 3-of-7 from three-point range. His offense was useful in stretches, but he contributed little else on the stat sheet with no rebounds or assists. His -3 plus/minus reflected a modest impact, and while he showed promise as a shooter, his overall game needs more development to provide consistent value.


Alex Len: C+

Stats: 4 PTS, 7 REB (2 OREB, 5 DREB), 2 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 2-5 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -9, 22 MIN

Len provided some much-needed interior presence, grabbing seven rebounds and adding a block in 22 minutes. However, his scoring was limited to four points on 2-of-5 shooting, and his -9 plus/minus revealed that he struggled to make a lasting impact during his time on the court. Len’s effort on the boards was commendable, but the Lakers needed more from him defensively against Utah’s surging frontcourt.


Jarred Vanderbilt: C

Stats: 3 PTS, 6 REB (2 OREB, 4 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 0 PF, 1-3 FG, 1-1 3PT, 0-2 FT, -12, 17 MIN

Vanderbilt was quiet offensively, scoring just three points on 1-of-3 shooting, though he did contribute six rebounds. His usual energy on defense wasn’t as impactful, and his two turnovers in 17 minutes hurt the team’s momentum. Vanderbilt’s game thrives on hustle plays, but in this matchup, his effort wasn’t enough to shift the tide in the Lakers’ favor.


Jordan Goodwin: C

Stats: 3 PTS, 4 REB (1 OREB, 3 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 1-4 FG, 1-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, -3, 17 MIN

Goodwin had a forgettable night, contributing just three points on 1-of-4 shooting while adding four rebounds and two assists. While he played hard defensively and tallied a steal, his offensive struggles and -3 plus/minus showed he had little influence on the outcome. Goodwin’s minutes were steady but unspectacular, and he’ll need to find ways to be more effective in his role.


Bronny James: N/A

Stats: 9 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 3-4 FG, 2-3 3PT, 1-2 FT, +10, 8 MIN

Bronny provided a rare bright spot in the fourth quarter, scoring a career-high nine points on 3-of-4 shooting in just eight minutes. His efficient performance included two three-pointers, and his +10 plus/minus highlighted his positive impact during garbage time. While the minutes were limited, Bronny’s confidence and spark gave fans a glimpse of his potential.


Markieff Morris: N/A

Stats: 5 PTS, 0 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 1-5 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2-2 FT, +10, 8 MIN

Morris had a brief stint, finishing with five points and one assist in eight minutes. His shooting (1-of-5) was subpar, but he knocked down two free throws and hit a three-pointer. His +10 plus/minus suggests he was on the floor during a late run, though his overall contributions were limited by the short playing time.


Jaxson Hayes: N/A

Stats: 4 PTS, 2 REB (1 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 2-2 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +2, 7 MIN

In just seven minutes, Hayes managed to score four points on a perfect 2-of-2 shooting and grabbed two rebounds. He also added a block, showcasing his athleticism in limited action. While his time on the court was brief, Hayes provided solid energy and efficiency in his role.


Christian Koloko: N/A

Stats: 4 PTS, 4 REB (2 OREB, 2 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FT, -2, 9 MIN

Koloko made the most of his nine minutes, contributing four points and four rebounds while shooting 1-of-1 from the field and 2-of-2 from the line. His -2 plus/minus wasn’t alarming, but his impact was minimal due to limited minutes. Koloko’s hustle on the boards and ability to finish efficiently were positives, but his role remains small for now.

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Eddie Bitar is a senior staff writer for Fadeaway World from Denver, Colorado. Since joining the team in 2017, Eddie has applied his academic background in economics and finance to enhance his sports journalism. Graduating with a Bachelor's degree from and later a Master's degree in Finance, he integrates statistical analysis into his articles. This unique approach provides readers with a deeper understanding of basketball through the lens of financial and economic concepts. Eddie's work has not only been a staple at Fadeaway World but has also been featured in prominent publications such as Sports Illustrated. His ability to break down complex data and present it in an accessible way creates an engaging and informative way to visualize both individual and team statistics. From finding the top 3 point shooters of every NBA franchise to ranking players by cost per point, Eddie is constantly finding new angles to use historical data that other NBA analysts may be overlooking.
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