The final score of Tuesday’s game was both a reflection of the chasm in talent between the Lakers and Thunder but also not entirely indicative of the effort LA gave to start the game either.
For the opening 18 minutes, the hosts held their own on the back of effort and energy plays on both ends. Some timely 3-pointers from unlikely — and unsustainable — sources helped them keep pace with Oklahoma City. But once the threes dried up and the free throws clanked off the rim endlessly, LA didn’t have any more answers and, well, you get a 36-point defeat.
As a result and considering the circumstances, there’s going to be a lot of grace given in these grades. Not one player was playing a role they’re suited for and many of the players have more minutes in the G League than the NBA in recent months. And they were playing against the best team in the NBA. This was never going to be pretty.
So, let’s dive into the loss. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.
Drew Timme
27 minutes, 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, 4-9 FG, 2-4 3PT, 1-2 FT, -26
An unexpected start for Timme, who started the game really well with 10 early points. That he finished with 11 points should tell you how the rest of the game went.
Grade: B
Rui Hachimura
26 minutes, 15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, 7-10 FG, 1-1 3PT, 0-3 FT, -24
For very obvious reasons, it’s flown under the radar that Rui has been in a great shooting rhythm over the last week or so.
Grade: B+
Deandre Ayton
23 minutes, 3 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 1-4 FG, 1-2 FT, -26
As harsh as you could be with Ayton after putting up this stat line, he was being defended by a First Team All-Defense caliber player in Chet Holmgren and was without the four ballhandlers he has the most chemistry with.
Grade: C+
Jake LaRavia
20 minutes, 2 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 1-7 FG, 0-4 3PT, 0-2 FT, -19
There were a couple of possessions in that first half that were nice sequences in which LaRavia ended up with an open look from three. And, well…
He does so many of the little things that if he can consistently knock down shots, he’d be a big gamechanger.
Grade: C-
Luke Kennard
23 minutes, 10 points, 2 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 4-7 FG, 0-2 3PT, 2-3 FT, -23
Of all the players who have had their role change the most in the last five days, Kennard might top that list. From largely an off-ball scorer to the lead point guard tonight.
Grade: B
Adou Thiero
21 minutes, 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, 5-10 FT, -15
Finally, Thiero got some run and it was as fun as you’d hope. Head coach JJ Redick mentioned that he was right at his minutes restriction, but he did a lot in that short span.
Grade: A-
Bronny James
23 minutes, 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 2-9 FG, 0-5 3PT, -25
Bronny does look a lot more comfortable now, but his jumper is still shaky at best. It should be the biggest thing he works on this summer. He’s a consistent 3-pointer away from being a legitimate rotation player.
Grade: C-
Kobe Bufkin
18 minutes, 9 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 2-6 FG, 2-2 3PT, 3-4 FT, +0
Another player with some surprise early minutes. The bulk of his stats, however, came in garbage time. It was nice to see him get some run and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they try him out a bit more to try to get some more scoring off the bench.
Grade: B
Maxi Kleber
13 minutes, 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1-2 FG, 0-1 3PT, -5
A pretty meh performance in limited minutes for Kleber.
Grade: C
Dalton Knecht
19 minutes, 5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, 2-6 FG, 1-2 3PT, -3
We’re not at a point in Knecht’s career where he isn’t even dominating garbage time. Those used to be the minutes he would at least dominate.
Grade: C-
Nick Smith Jr.
12 minutes, 11 points, 2 assists, 1 foul, 4-6 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2-2 FT, -5
Only fourth quarter minutes for NSJ. He’s seen his role usurped by the combo of Bufkin and Bronny, so it’s hard to imagine him getting much more run this year.
Grade: B+
Chris Mañon
12 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1-2 FG, -5
A very rare extended run for Mañon, who received G League All-Defense honors earlier in the day.
Grade: C+
Jarred Vanderbilt
It was an adventurous start for Vando, who made his lone shot and was active but also missed all three free throws after being fouled on a long-range shot late in the first. His night abruptly ended in the second quarter when Redick called an early timeout and pulled him from the game for, as he said postgame, a “confluence of things.” Vando never returned, logging only five minutes.
JJ Redick
It’s a pretty impossible situation Redick has been placed in, but credit for him for having the team ready at the jump. The result felt inevitable, but the fight the team had not just in the opening 18 minutes, but throughout the game was evident.
Even with the likes of LeBron James, Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes out tonight but set to return, hopefully some more of the young Lakers continue to get minutes as well.
Grade: B
Tuesday’s inactives: LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Jaxson Hayes
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
