Luka Doncic delivered yet another dominant performance, posting a 29-point triple-double to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 130-120 victory over the Miami Heat. With Austin Reaves orchestrating the offense and key contributions from the bench, the Lakers overcame the absence of LeBron James and DeAndre Ayton to secure their third straight win and improve to 5-2 on the season.
Los Angeles controlled the game from the opening tip, never allowing Miami to take the lead, while timely dunks and efficient shooting from role players provided the spark needed to maintain momentum throughout the night. In this article, we break down the Lakers’ performance in detail, providing individual player grades for every contributor.
From Doncic’s all-around dominance to the bench impact of Jake LaRavia and Jaxson Hayes, we evaluate how each player impacted the game, highlighting standout performances, clutch moments, and areas for improvement.
Luka Doncic: A
Game Stats: 29 PTS, 11 REB, 10 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 9-22 FG, 1-11 3PT, 10-12 FT, 38 MIN
Luka was the centerpiece of the Lakers’ offense, orchestrating everything with his usual brilliance. He scored 29 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out 10 assists, delivering a well-rounded triple-double that kept Miami on its heels all night.
While he struggled from deep (1-of-11), he made up for it by controlling the pace, making sharp passes to teammates, and creating easy scoring opportunities in transition and in the half-court. His three steals also disrupted the Heat’s rhythm, and even with five turnovers, his overall impact and leadership were undeniable, especially in the absence of LeBron James.
Austin Reaves: A
Game Stats: 26 PTS, 4 REB, 11 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 9-22 FG, 4-14 3PT, 4-5 FT, 38 MIN
Reaves was a force as both a scorer and a playmaker, finishing with 26 points and 11 assists. He knocked down four triples, attacked closeouts effectively, and consistently found teammates in open spaces, including highlight assists to LaRavia and Bronny James.
Reaves’ calm decision-making and ability to read the defense kept the Lakers ahead whenever Miami tried to rally. His court vision, combined with timely scoring in transition and late-game situations, cemented his role as a key secondary creator for Los Angeles.
Jake LaRavia: A
Game Stats: 25 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 4 STL, 0 BLK, 10-13 FG, 2-3 3PT, 3-4 FT, 35 MIN
LaRavia was sensational again, scoring 25 points and grabbing 8 rebounds while also adding 3 assists and 4 steals. He attacked the rim aggressively, hit open threes, and made multiple highlight dunks that shifted momentum in the fourth quarter.
LaRavia’s combination of scoring, defense, and hustle made him a game-changing presence whenever the Heat threatened to cut into the lead. He clearly established himself as a key weapon in crunch time.
Jaxson Hayes: A-
Game Stats: 15 PTS, 5 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 7-7 FG, 1-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, 32 MIN
Hayes had a perfect shooting night, going 7-of-7 from the field and adding a made three-pointer, finishing with 15 points. He attacked the rim with authority, scored efficiently in transition, and provided a strong interior presence that Miami couldn’t match.
Hayes’ energy and athleticism also fueled highlight plays, including dunks that energized both the bench and the crowd. His defensive contributions, including a steal and a block, added to a near-perfect all-around night.
Rui Hachimura: B+
Game Stats: 15 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 6-12 FG, 3-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, 31 MIN
Rui contributed efficiently with 15 points and 6 rebounds, providing a stabilizing presence for the starting unit. He knocked down three crucial three-pointers and converted mid-range looks to help the Lakers maintain an early lead.
On defense, he battled in the paint and boxed out effectively, though he wasn’t always able to contain Miami’s perimeter players. Overall, Hachimura’s balance of scoring, spacing, and effort on the boards made him an important component of the win.
Marcus Smart: B
Game Stats: 11 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 4-9 FG, 3-7 3PT, 0-0 FT, 27 MIN
Smart offered a balanced mix of defense and offense, scoring 11 points while adding 4 assists and 2 steals. He pressured Miami’s ball handlers, forced some turnovers, and helped create open shots for teammates.
While his shooting was inconsistent from deep (3-of-7), he made some key three-pointers to keep the Lakers’ spacing intact. Smart’s leadership on the floor and defensive versatility helped maintain the team’s edge during Miami’s attempts to close the gap.
Jarred Vanderbilt: C+
Game Stats: 4 PTS, 4 REB, 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1-2 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FT, 10 MIN
Vanderbilt’s contributions were more subtle but effective in his 10 minutes, grabbing 4 rebounds and adding a steal. He played active defense in the paint, contested shots, and maintained hustle plays that helped the Lakers control the boards.
While he only scored 4 points on limited attempts, his presence on defense and ability to rotate effectively contributed to the team’s overall balance and energy. A solid performance from Vando considering his limited time on the court.
Bronny James: C+
Game Stats: 2 PTS, 0 REB, 2 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 0-1 FG, 0-2 3PT, 0-0 FT, 18 MIN
Bronny showed flashes of potential and energy, contributing 2 points, 2 assists, and 3 steals in 18 minutes. His highlight alley-oop dunk off a Reaves assist was a standout moment that energized both the bench and the crowd.
Defensively, he was active in passing lanes, generating turnovers, and creating fast-break opportunities. While playing in spurts throughout the game, Bronny’s effort and basketball IQ were evident throughout the game.
Dalton Knecht: C
Game Stats: 3 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1-4 FG, 1-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, 12 MIN
Knecht struggled to make a significant impact, finishing with 3 points in 12 minutes. He made one of his four shots and hit one of three three-pointers, but otherwise had limited influence offensively.
Defensively, he rotated well at times but was unable to disrupt Miami’s primary scorers. Knecht’s minutes were more about giving rest to the starters than being a primary contributor.
