Grading every Lakers player’s performance from the team’s 94-85 Game 2 win over the Wolves.
After saying all the right things after their Game 1 loss to the Wolves, the Lakers came out on Tuesday and walked the walk as well.
Behind a lockdown defensive performance, LA led nearly throughout Game 2 en route to a fairly comfortable win. By several metrics, it was Minnesota’s worst showing of the season as their point total (85) and 3-pointers made (five) were both season-low figures.
The Lakers met their physicality and did what was needed on Tuesday before heading to Minnesota where they’ll now need to steal a game. But Game 2 showed the Lakers are fully capable of going toe-to-toe with these Wolves.
So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.
Rui Hachimura
34 minutes, 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, 4-9 FG, 0-2 3PT, 3-3 FT, +2
The 3-point numbers from this game were pretty ugly for both teams with Rui among those who did not knock down one from range. However, he had some clutch baskets around the rim and, more importantly, was fantastic defensively.
And he did it all after taking a blow to the face, which head coach JJ Redick said he would receive X-rays for postgame.
Grade: A-
LeBron James
40 minutes, 21 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 8-19 FG, 1-5 3PT, 4-4 FT, +9
This was a much better game from him than his Game 1 performance and it was needed. This time around, his contributions came when the Lakers needed him and not when the team was already down big.
Again, though, as good as he was offensively, he was even better on the defensive end.
Grade: A-
Jaxson Hayes
There was a call for more Jaxson minutes in Game 2, but he made sure that wasn’t even possible. This was a truly, truly awful game from him as he had five fouls, two points and a single rebound in nine minutes. He doesn’t officially get a grade but I think everyone would give him the same one.
Austin Reaves
43 minutes, 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 7-14 FG, 0-6 3PT, 2-2 FT, +8
Austin’s jumper is just completely gone right now, but fortunately, he didn’t settle. He started the game missing a whole bunch of open 3-pointers, but he remained aggressive offensively and got to the rim repeatedly.
There’s still a lot of room for improvement, but this was also a much better game from him.
Grade: B+
Luka Dončić
42 minutes, 31 points, 12 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 block, 9-20 FG, 2-8 3PT, 11-11 FT, +12
There was a much more concerted effort from Luka in this one to get his teammates involved after just one assist in Game 1. When he targeted big men in switches, the possessions didn’t simply end with a shot attempt and, instead, he would find open players.
The result was more production from role players, which paid off in the long run.
Grade: A
Dorian Finney-Smith
39 minutes, 7 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 3-6 FG, 1-3 3PT, +5
There were a couple of corner 3-pointers from DFS in this one that would have been huge shots to knock down. But he was just as important to the team’s defense as anyone else, especially down the stretch.
Grade: B+
Gabe Vincent
19 minutes, 6 points, 1 assist, 1 block, 2-4 FG, 2-4 3PT, +4
Is Gabe Vincent a rim protector now? He’s now blocked shots in two straight games.
Jokes aside, he was one of the only players who had a rhythm from range in the first half. He lost that feel in the second half, but overall was a positive on the night.
Grade: B+
Jarred Vanderbilt
It wasn’t as impactful a night for Vando in this one, though his play at the end of the first was nearly one of the highlights of the night. It’s going to be hard for him to play in this series and especially so if the team can’t knock down 3-pointers to force defenders out of the paint.
Jordan Goodwin
For many of the same reasons, it’s going to be hard to play Goodwin in this series with his lack of spacing. If he’s only going to be play the seven minutes he did in this one, I wouldn’t be against giving Dalton Knecht those minutes to see if he can spark the team.
JJ Redick
I wasn’t quite as harsh on Redick in Game 1 because I thought a lot of it came down to the players not executing. Similarly, the players executed much better in this one. However, he mixed up the defense much better to not allow nearly as many open threes while still keeping Anthony Edwards out of rhythm for much of the game.
Grade: B+
Tuesday’s DNPs: Bronny James, Dalton Knecht, Alex Len, Shake Milton, Markieff Morris
Tuesday’s inactives: Maxi Kleber
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