Well, the Lakers were not going to win every match for the rest of the season.
After a pair of impressive victories on enemies in the playoffs, purple and gold fell at home in a rare defeat at home against a team from the Western Conference, falling to the Warriors despite a fairly furious rally.
Overall, the Lakers have a 20-4 file against the West at home this year. It is the second best brand in the NBA behind the Cavs. OKC is third with a recording of 19-5 https://t.co/j9kpmrq4is
– Jacob Rude (@jacobrude) April 4, 2025
Unfortunately, the Lakers had played basketball little taken for too long on Thursday and that caught up with them at the end. In the end, the loss was not so damaging in the void while the team slipped just half a game behind the Nuggets for the seeded n ° 3.
However, it leaves a sour taste in the mouth and brings the Warriors firmly in the image of the Lakers during the race in the playoffs during the last week of the season.
So let’s dive into the loss. As always, the notes are based on the expectations of each player. A note “B” represents the average performance of this player.
Rui Hachimura
34 minutes, 24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 9-15 FG, 3-6 3pt, 3-4 FT, -1
A night when many guys, especially players, were invisible, Rui was the exception. It arose importantly, being a constant threat throughout the match. It was a reminder how precious it can be in the big games.
Grade: a
LeBron James
40 minutes, 33 points, 5 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 flight, 1 block, 10-15 FG, 5-8 3pt, 8-9 FT, -1
It was LeBron’s best game safe since his return from his groin injury, and it came despite an early fear. Among the many encouraging things about the game, he hit five of his eight 3 points.
Grade: a
Jaxson Hayes
15 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1 flight, 1-4 FG, +3
On the other hand of Rui, it was a reminder why there are great concerns about Jaxson in big games. He looked entirely out of his depth, and this was never more apparent than during the third trimester when he left whistles – or from his absence – catching him and then flying to a 3 -point pointer Steph Curry. As you would expect, Steph Pump took a step on the side and buried the three casually.
He underestimated 30 seconds after this sequence and did not review the ground for the rest of the match.
Grade: F
Austin Reaves
40 minutes, 31 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 flight, 10-20 FG, 9-16 3pt, 2-3 FT, +2
It is a deceptive statistical line for Austin. After hitting his first two shots from the match, Austin was invisible, hitting one of his next seven shots. It was far from the type of game the Lakers needed.
So, how much credit do you give him for causing fire to the fourth, but it came too little, too late because, at least partially, the way he played the first 36 minutes?
Austin is really good and I hold it on a fairly high level. Thus, the first three quarters will weigh enough here, despite the fact that he has established a 3 -point career.
Grade: B +
Luka Dončić
38 minutes, 19 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 6-17 FG, 0-6 3pt, 7-7 ft, -3
There is no debate on it. It was just a bad and simple bad game of Luka. As unacceptably bad. As bad enough for me to wonder if Nico Harrison made good points.
I am kidding on this last part, but Luka was simply not a factor. This cannot happen in big games, or essentially any other match the rest of the season.
Grade: D-
Dorian Finney-Smith
29 minutes, 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 aists, 1 block, 1-6 FG, 0-5 3pt, -14
After his best match as a laker, DFS followed him with safely his worst match as a laker. His night was summarized by missing the pointer to 3 open ports with around 20 seconds which would have reduced the two -point deficit, chasing the rebound then returning it.
A very forgettable night.
Grade: F
Gabe Vincent
17 minutes, 3 points, 1-5 FG, 1-5 3pt, -14
Likewise, it was the worst match that Gabe had in the second half of the season. In almost all the senses, he was ineffective.
Grade: F
Jarred Vanderbilt
13 minutes, 2 points, 7 rebounds, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3pt, -7
While Jarred was the bench player who had the most impact, he was also the victim of how the Warriors played the defense. By narrowing the court and forcing the lakers to be pulled on three, Vando – as aile without underwear – has become quite limited in the way he could have an impact on the game.
Grade: B-
Jordan Goodwin
14 minutes, 3 rebounds, 2 flights, 0-1 FG, +0
The fact that I do not remember one thing about Goodwin’s game is probably a good microcosm of his night.
Grade: C-
JJ Redick
A difficult night for Lakers, but Redick has tried new things. He brought Jaxson to a different time from normal in the third quarter to associate himself with Luka, trying to trigger him and the offensive.
I wonder if it was worth giving Dalton Knecht a chance in the middle of the game, especially in the third trimester or even to start the fourth. The bench provided nothing and it could have been a game that Dalton has just provided a spark.
In addition, I question the use of his second challenge on a fairly harmless fault which has not really changed much, even if he understood correctly.
Grade: C
Thursday DNPS: Bronny James, Dalton Knecht, Christian Koloko, Alex Len, Shake Milton, Markieff Morris
Thursday’s inactive: Maxi Kleber, Trey Jemison III
You can follow Jacob on Twitter in @Jacobrude or on Bluesky at @ jacobrude.bsky.social.