Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

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Austin Reaves Scores 41, Lakers Put Up a Good Fight, but Lose to Portland 122-108 Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

The Lakers were a step beyond shorthanded Monday, playing without Luka Dončić, LeBron James, Marcus Smart, Jaxson Hayes, Gabe Vincent (who is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with damage to his ankle) and Maxi Kleber. This on the second night of a back to back. So they were very, very short of ball handlers, very short of scoring, and were up against one of the more athletic and aggressive teams in the league.

It wasn't pretty, but you can't fault the effort. Lakers still lose, though, 120-108.

Too many turnovers (23) not enough shooting (7-27), not enough guys ready for this type of burn.

Austin Reaves again was a hero, with 41 points, but was hurt by fatigue and relentless pressure from the Blazers (eight turnovers). The Lakers got another decent game from Deandre Ayton (16/8/2/1) but Portland's size was clearly impactful. Overall, the Lakers worked incredibly hard, and while the rebounding was an issue (particularly when Donovan Clingan was in the game) JJ Redick was pleased with the halfcourt defense, at least on those first attempts.

Dalton Knecht may have found a little life, pressed into action and scoring 16 points, which was 16 of the 18 the bench produced.

While Vincent will be out a while, Redick said he was hopeful that Smart and Hayes might be back for Wednesday's game in Minnesota.

We'll see. With a couple more bodies, the Lakers could make a game of it, since Anthony Edwards won't be on the floor (hamstring).

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers put up a fight, but lose.

SEGMENT 2: Injuries are piling up.

SEGMENT 3: Positives to pull, including signs of life from Knecht?

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Austin Reaves Scores 51 as the Lakers Beat Kings, Luka Dončić Out at Least a Week Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

Sunday started with bad news, as the Lakers learned that Luka Dončić will miss the next week (at least) with a sprained finger on his left hand, and a lower body contusion. While the Lakers arent' reportedly all that concerned about the long-term severity of either, the schedule isn't kind, here. The Lakers play five games over the course of the week, starting Sunday in Sacramento.

So no Luka, no LeBron James, no Jaxson Hayes for good measure, who missed another game with a knee injury.

They'd need something special to win, and man alive did they get it from Austin Reaves. 51 points on 12-22 from the floor, and 21-22 from the free throw line. 11 rebounds, nine assists, only two turnovers. He was spectacular, but he wasn't alone. Deandre Ayton gave the Lakers a massive performance on a night they had to have it, finishing with 22 points on 10-17 shooting, along with 15 rebounds. Marcus Smart brought tremendous intensity. Jarred Vanderbilt was a disruptive force. Rui Hachimura was aggressive offensively.

So how could this game help guys like Ayton over the course of a week where the Lakers are facing big challenges on the road? Are they capable of splitting the next four (at Portland Monday, then Minnesota, Memphis and Miami)?

We'll see, but it's huge to get the win on Sunday for a start.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: No Luka, but Reaves steps up big.

SEGMENT 2: How the Lakers got it done.

SEGMENT 3: A big night for Ayton.

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Luka Dončić Scores 49, Lakers Beat Minnesota 128-110 for First Win of the Season Oct 25, 2025

Show notes

Now THAT'S more like it.

After a bad opening to the season on Tuesday against Golden State, the Lakers raised their level against a very good Minnesota team and bounced back with their first win of the season, 128-110. It was fueled, particularly early, by Luka Dončić, who scored 23 points in the first quarter, en route to 49 points overall. (To go with 11 rebounds and eight assists.)

But the game turned when the rest of the cast started really pitching in, especially by changing the defensive energy. Marcus Smart changed the vibe of the game in a big way, and it carried into the second half, where the Lakers played a fantastic third quarter, outscoring the Wolves by 11. Contributions were all over the floor. Rui Hachimura finished with 23 points on 13 field goal attempts. Austin Reaves had 25 points, and only one turnover against 11 assists. Deandre Ayton found another gear in the second half, playing with much more aggression and confidence en route to 15 points and eight assists.

So the Lakers will head to Sacramento for Sunday's game with a much better feeling, and a chance to get above .500 for the first time this year.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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Is Gabe Vincent a Mismatch Magnet? Could Marcus Smart Help the Lakers "Set the Rules?" Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

The Lakers have a host of things to figure out ahead of tonight's game at the Crypt against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Not just because Minnesota is back in town after summarily dispatching the purple and gold in last year's playoffs -- though that's part of it -- they also badly need a bounceback performance following Tuesday's disappointment against the Warriors.

So how to get there?

One topic of conversation is still the starting lineup, and how Gabe Vincent was a magnet for mismatch hunting against Golden State. Jimmy Butler found him repeatedly, and ate Vincent for lunch. So what to do about that? Would he be better off the bench? Very likely, but if he starts again the other issue was the three points he scored. For a guy out there to help grease the wheels and provide some spacing, he was a non-factor.

Another path? Marcus Smart suggests the Lakers get more physical, and be the toughest team every night, because it's the toughest team that gets to set the rules. And the Lakers without LeBron might just need to find ways to set the rules... assuming those rules involve very physical play that slows a game down and dares the refs to make calls.

Luka Dončić is incredible, but the Lakers will need to find an identity and style of play that goes beyond just that for them to thrive while LeBron is out, and even when he's back. Let's see if it starts tonight.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Gambling in the NBA!

SEGMENT 2: Is Vincent too small?

SEGMENT 3: How to set the rules?

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What Did the Lakers Learn From the Warriors Loss? Plus, LeBron James' Body Language Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

First things first -- Luka Dončić participated in Wednesday's practice, and according to JJ Redick seems fine following what looked like a groin/hip thing suffered late in Tuesday's loss to Golden State.

He's expected to practice Thursday, and play on Friday when the Lakers host Minnesota at the Crypt.

After that, there's a tremendous amount of uncertainty given the team's performance Tuesday night. There are questions about the bench, about diversity in scoring, about the relative lack of athleticism on the team relative to the rest of the West. How much of this is fixable? Based on the reaction to watching tape, the Lakers are confident they can in fact correct a lot of mistakes. Whether that's a matter of better coverages in transition, firmer screens and harder cuts, etc., the Lakers felt a great deal of what went wrong was in their control.

How quickly can it be fixed? How much did a lack of cohesion during the preseason impact what was seen in the opener?

Meanwhile, one thing that was definitely seen on Tuesday? LeBron James... doing nothing. Like, almost in the most literal sense. Sitting statuesque in the tall chair that the Lakers keep around for folks with back problems.

It was a topic of conversation on Wednesday, and Redick noted at practice that LeBron was an active part of film study that day. Of course, was JJ going to claim otherwise, given the headlines it would create? This is a topic of conversation only LeBron can end, and it would be in his best interests to nip this one in the bud.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers try to learn lessons from Tuesday's loss.
SEGMENT 2: What's fixable?
SEGMENT 3: LeBron and body language.

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Luka Dončić Scores 43, But LAKERS DOOM THEMSELVES In 119-109 Loss to Warriors Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

The Lakers weren't great in the preseason, so in that sense, Tuesday's 119-109 opening night loss to the Warriors shouldn't be all that surprising. But in a game where Luka Dončić delivered 43 points, 12 rebounds and nine dimes and the Lakers still struggled to stay connected to Golden State, folks are going to be concerned.

The Lakers got production from an imperfect Austin Reaves (26/9), but everywhere else in the lineup it was ugliness. Deandre Ayton's regular season debut was a bust. He was tentative offensively and inert on the glass. He did manage to hit double figures in scoring, which is more than Gabe Vincent or Rui Hachimura could say. The bench? Not good, though Marcus Smart at least showed some grit and energy, but the collective wasn't nearly productive enough.

All in all, it was definitely not the sort of performance that will quiet critics who believe the Lakers needed to do much more in the preseason to get this team as far along as possible.

They have a couple days of practice before the Timberwolves visit LA on Friday, and have plenty of work to do.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers lose the opener, 119-109.

SEGMENT 2: Luka looks fantastic.

SEGMENT 3: Ayton, Vincent, Rui, bench... everyone struggles.

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Lakers vs. Warriors, Opening Night! Plus, Why Luka Dončić Raises LA's Ceiling More Than Anyone Else Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

The Lakers open the season tonight! The real games begin. It's Lakers vs. Warriors, on Peacock! (Something new for this year, and an early taste of a new TV arrangement for the NBA.)

The Warriors are a team that mirrors a lot of what we think about the Lakrs. Obviously very good. Capable of beating any team in any series, even if they're not quite capable of winning four of them to get an NBA chip. But in any best-of-seven, if playing at full strength, nobody will want to see them. On the other hand, they rely on a bunch of old guys (more than the Lakers) and if anyone significant gets hurt? Forgettaboutit. (The Lakers in this sense have an advantage over the Warriors, because when people talk about old guys, it's really just LeBron.)

So with LeBron injured, are the Lakers being knocked too far down in the West? What's a fair evaluation?

And who can raise their ceiling, and the floor? What could happen that would rip a hole in that floor?

Well, it starts with Luka. There's a massive difference between him performing like one of the two or three best players on the planet, and being a more conventional All-NBA level performer. Someone who'd make evan a second team. The Lakers are banking on him being the guy who averaged a 30 point trip-dub (more or less) two years ago in Dallas. That raises the team's ceiling. Anything less, and the Lakers may not get where they want to go.

Meanwhile, deeper into the supporting cast, we explain why Deandre Ayton has tremendous ceiling-raising potential, while an injury to Marcus Smart or Jarred Vanderbilt could have an outsized impact relative to their skill level and spot in the proverbial pecking order.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers open the season tonight!

SEGMENT 2: Is Ayton the team's best floor raiser?

SEGMENT 3: What about Luka?

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Is JJ Redick Going to Start Gabe Vincent In the Regular Season? Good Idea or Bad Idea? Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

JJ Redick threw the Lakers socialsphere a curveball in Friday's preseason finale, choosing to start guard Gabe Vincent in the open spot vacated by LeBron James's early season injury. This, when most people expected either Jarred Vanderbilt or Marcus Smart.

So why Vincent?

You can argue that Vincent may not be the best at any one thing the Lakers feel like they need, but he ticks more boxes overall. Outside shooting? Yes, the way he's been doing it in the preason, at least. Defense? Pretty good, and is very good on concepts and reliability. He's not going to be the reason the system breaks down because he's out of position, or makes the wrong read. He can handle an offense, providing some direction and secondary ballhandling.

Are Vando and Smart better individual defenders? Yes. Do both allow the Lakers to play bigger? Yes again. Could Smart have more overall offensive juice and a more diverse skillset? Sure could.

But is Smart, who missed much of the preseason with tendinitis in his Achilles tendon, ready to carry the load of a starter? For that matter, do the Lakers trust Smart and Vando, who have both battled significant injuries over the last couple of years, can play starters minutes at the energy they require without breaking down?

So is JJ making the right call, here?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: Are the Lakers set to start Gabe Vincent?

SEGMENT 2: Smart choice from Redick?

SEGMENT 3: Pros and cons.

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NBA SEASON PREVIEW: Lakers outlook for the Western Conference Oct 18, 2025

Show notes

Hosts Nick Angstadt (Locked On Mavs), Joe Mullinax (Locked On Grizzlies), Rylan Stiles (Locked On Thunder), Ben Beecken (Locked On Wolves), Matt Moore (Locked On Nuggets), Jackson Gatlin (Locked On Rockets), Ben Garcia (Locked On Suns), and David Locke (Locked On Jazz) break down whether the Oklahoma City Thunder can repeat atop the West without relying on injuries, focusing on the crucial offensive growth of Chet Holmgren and half-court improvements. The group debates Denver Nuggets’ chances to dethrone OKC, emphasizing their improved depth behind Nikola Jokic. Minnesota Timberwolves' and Houston Rockets' paths to contention depend on leaps from Anthony Edwards and young guards like Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham. The hosts analyze the importance of Western Conference team depth, highlighting how the Clippers, Warriors, and Mavericks stack up with 240 minutes of viable contributors. Kevin Durant's role with the Rockets is discussed, along with concerns about veteran stars like LeBron James and Luka Doncic handling a full postseason run. The segment wraps with spirited takes on which teams have the roster construction, internal development, and playoff resilience to contend in an increasingly deep Western Conference.

0:00 OKC Thunder's Repeat Chances
7:33 Denver Nuggets vs. Thunder: Biggest Threat?
17:11 Veteran Teams Longevity: Clippers, Warriors, Lakers
22:45 Mavericks: Depth, Luka, & Contender Analysis
33:06 Western Conference Standings Predictions
39:02 Lakers Identity, LeBron "Pouting," & Rebuild
44:37 Can Luka Break OKC's Defense?
49:50 Victor Wembanyama Hype vs. Reality
54:10 Grizzlies, Pelicans & Spurs: Best of the Rest

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Luka Dončić (31/5/9) Dominates, but Lakers Lose Preseason Finale to Kings, 117-116 Oct 18, 2025

Show notes

Luka Dončić looks ready for the season to start, dropping 31 points, five rebounds and nine assists on the visiting Sacramento Kings on Friday in the final game of the preseason for the Lakers, but it wasn't enough to get a win. LA loses to the Kings, 117-116.

The "dress rehearsal" was interesting on a few levels, starting with... the starting lineup. Gabe Vincent was a surprise choice for the final slot, and to his credit he came out hot (as he's been throughout the preseason). Is he going to be the starter when the real games start on Tuesday, or would the Lakers turn to Jarred Vanderbilt or Marcus Smart?

Overall, it was a mixed bag for the Lakers, who got some good work from Deandre Ayton, but Austin Reaves had his first bad game of the exhibition season. Rui Hachimura scored 18 points, but only had one rebound. Smart was a major highlight, particularly of the second half, as he made his presence felt defensively but also got far more aggressive on the offensive end, too, playing a great deal with the ball in his hands.

For fans who are worried about him, Friday's game was likely a welcome development.

Overall, it was not a good exhibition season for LA. They had players dinged up, didn't win a lot of games, struggled defensively, and seemed to miss out on chances to build up a little more continuity. But now it's a couple days of practice before the real slate starts Tuesday.

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

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