The first embarrassing Lakers loss of 2025 has arrived and it came at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks. Despite not having Kyrie Irving or Luka Dončić available, the Mavericks easily defeated the Lakers 118-97 on Tuesday night.
Dallas shot the light out from deep, going 18-38 from 3-point range as a team. Quentin Grimes torched the Lakers, scoring 23 points off the bench, Klay Thompson added 13 points on 50% shooting and former Laker Spencer Dinwiddie had himself a game, scoring 19 points and having the best plus-minus on the teams at +23.
The Lakers shouldn’t burn this tape. Instead, they should watch it until they are nauseous, as the fanbase was witnessing it in real time.
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.
Anthony Davis
38 minutes, 21 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 7-18 FG, 0-2 3PT, 7-9 FT, -19
In the preview of this game, we said a 30-plus point, 15-plus rebound game was needed from AD. That’s exactly the kind of performance required for victory and Davis couldn’t get to that level.
He missed so many point-black shots at the basket, settled for jumpers, missed a couple of free throws and went 0-2 from deep.
AD is the star of the team, but he didn’t play like it and appeared far too often like he was just going through the motions.
Grade: C
Rui Hachimura
26 minutes, 6 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal, 3-5 FG, 0-2 3PT, -8
This was a rough night for Hachimura. He gave you very little offensively, virtually no rebounding and was unable to stop anyone from scoring.
In a few ISO situations, he was put on skates and the Mavs either shot over him or blew right by him and attacked the rim. For Rui to remain a starter he was to be sharper in all phases of the game.
Grade: D
LeBron James
35 minutes, 18 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 6-12 FG, 1-4 3PT, 5-6 FT, -12
In the first half, LeBron had a mesmerizing dunk that electrified and mesmerized, but after that, this game was a dud. James was on cruise control most of the night and didn’t impose his will offensively or care much at all defensively.
When James plays at this level, the Lakers will not win many games and it drops this team down to a mediocre squad.
Grade: D
Austin Reaves
32 minutes, 15 points, 2 rebounds 1 assist, 3 steals, 5-14 FG, 4-11 3PT, 1-2 FT, -25
Add Reaves to the long list of Lakers who didn’t bring it against the Mavs. Many of his shots were desperation jumpers late in the shot clock. He was not impactful at all on-ball and guards like Dinwiddie were doing everything they wanted to him.
No need to be concerned with Reaves’ game long term, but this was a bad performance, no question.
Grade: D
Max Christie
30 minutes, 12 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 5-9, 1-4 3PT, 1-1 FT, -22
If you are in desperate need of some positivity coming out of this game, Christie has got you covered. He gave a decent effort defensively, scored 12 points on 5-9 shooting and continues to prove why he is now a staple in the starting lineup.
A few more 3-pointers going in would’ve been ideal, but Christie had a good game given his role on this team.
Grade: B+
Dorian Finney-Smith
28 minutes, 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3-4 FG, 3-4 3PT, 2-2 FT, +3
This was undoubtedly the best game Finney-Smith has had as a Laker. He was solid on defense and took only 3-pointers, hitting three of his four attempts.
DFS was the only player on the Lakers with a positive plus-minus and him getting more comfortable will be crucial moving forward. He provides a solid base level of defense and 3-point shooting this team desperately needs.
Grade: B+
Gabe Vincent
24 minutes, 0 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 0-4 FG, 0-3 3PT, -5
What a stinker of a game for Vincent. Stats don’t tell the whole story, but do you really need more details beyond zero points, one rebound and two assists?
His performances this year have been so interesting. Sometimes, he looks like the player who played impactful minutes for the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. Other times, Vincent is forgettable and the rest of the time you remember him for all the wrong reasons.
Vincent is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get. Against the Mavs, he delivered a lump of coal.
Grade: F
Dalton Knecht
16 minutes, 13 points, 1 block, 5-8 FG, 2-5 3PT, 1-2 FT, -8
With the Lakers down by double-digits entering the fourth, Lakers head coach JJ Redick was looking for an offensive boost. He went with Dalton Knecht and he delivered. The rookie scored 10 points in the fourth and kept hope alive for the team throughout the final frame.
It’s been an up-and-down season for Knecht, but his ability to get hot and shoot at a high level is undeniable and he reminded fans of his potential with his fourth-quarter performance.
Grade: B+
Jaxson Hayes
12 minutes, 1 point, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 5-8 FG, 2-5 3PT, 1-2 FT, -8
This performance by Hayes has me thinking of the iconic burn Bob Costas made on Cubs pitcher Pedro Strop. It was an awful night for the Lakers big with four fouls in his first four minutes of play.
Hayes had just one point and was exposed on the perimeter all night long. Christian Koloko is on a two-way, but some decisions might need to be made with their big options if Hayes continues to play at this level.
Grade: F
Bronny James
There will be no grade for Bronny James as he just played for one minute during garbage time.
JJ Redick
All the switching on defense didn’t work, a moment of zone coverage was suspect, so this night’s loss and effort level falls on Redick as well. He didn’t push the right buttons or present a lineup that could consistently give a good effort on both sides of the ball.
Grade: D
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.
