Player Grades: Lakers vs. Cavs

Grading every Lakers player’s performance from the team’s 134-110 loss to the Cavs.

It was utter domination by the Cavaliers against the Lakers, beating them 134-110.

It wasn't just a blowout loss; the Cavs were in control the entire time, leading by double digits and never allowing the Lakers even to sniff a comeback.

This is one you look at to study your mistakes, but once you do, you burn the tape.

Before we do that, though, it's time to see who, if anyone, played well.

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

31 minutes, 22 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 9-17 FG, 0-1 3PT, 4-8 FT, -18

It wasn't a bad performance from AD, but the Lakers needed one of those 30-plus-point games from him to get a win.

They did not get that and with his dip in production, the Lakers got destroyed.

One thing to monitor is AD's hip. He was falling a lot and holding onto it a few times. He said he'll be fine, but that’s something to monitor throughout this road trip.

Grade: C

Rui Hachimura

28 minutes, 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 4-6 FG, 0-1 3PT, -11

Hachimura was efficient with his shooting, but six field goal attempts wasn't anywhere near enough.

The Lakers need him to be more aggressive, especially on nights when the stars aren't performing at their usual level.

At just five boards, this was tied for his second-lowest rebounding game of the season.

Grade: C

LeBron James

29 minutes, 26 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 9-13 FG, 1-3 3PT, 7-7 FT, -17

It was a better LeBron game tonight compared to his last outing, though that's not saying much.

He still struggled in the opening quarter, finishing strong near the rim, and had he gotten off to a better start, perhaps this game wouldn't have gotten out of hand.

Defensively, he was not good.

Luckily, the Lakers play the Toronto Raptors next. Hopefully, a weaker opponent and some days in between games will get LeBron back to fully healthy. He's currently dealing with an illness.

Grade: C+

D'Angelo Russell

24 minutes, 10 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 2-7 FG, 0-3 3PT, 6-6 FT, -8

Russell has yet to have a good game this season.

Against the Cavs, he was a turnstile on defense and not enough of a positive on offense to offset that. The only good thing about Russell's night was that he handled the ball well, dishing out five assists and having zero turnovers.

Grade: C-

Austin Reaves

28 minutes, 7 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2-6 FG, 1-4 3PT, 2-2 FT, -14

Only two made field goals and four turnovers in this game; it was a bad night for Reaves. Defensively, he had some bad moments defending Donovan Mitchell; not many do well against the All-Star, but even so, he looked rough out there.

Grade: C

Jaxson Hayes

19 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2-2 FG, 2-2 FT, -11

This was an average performance from Hayes; he had a nice dunk on a LeBron pocket pass and brought some nice energy to the game. Trailing by 20-plus most of the game, Hayes doesn't have the ability to turn a deficit like that down. At best, he's a nice backup big who can keep the good times rolling. In this scenario, he couldn't shine.

Grade: C

Gabe Vincent

16 minutes, 5 points, 2-5 FG, 1-3 FG, -10

Vincent had a nice 3-pointer once he was subbed into the game, but that was about it. It is hard to pinpoint what Vincent can do well on this team and how to bring that out of him. Right now, he's not explosive offensively and only a bit above replacement level defensively.

That doesn't describe a player who plays 15-plus minutes on a winning team.

Grade: C-

Max Christie

27 minutes, 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1-6 FG, 1-5 3PT, 3-4 FT, -19

With more minutes comes more responsibility.

Christie hasn't lived up to the expectations people have had of him five games into the season. He struggled with the physical and quick guards the Cavs have on the perimeter and was absent offensively.

The effort, focus and attention to detail weren't there. During the second half, he looked lost on the floor and merely going through the motions.

Grade: D

Dalton Knecht

22 minutes, 18 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 6-12 FG, 2-7 3PT, 4-4 FT, -11

Nope, I will not give Knecht flowers for scoring 18 minutes in garbage time.

When both teams played the game straight up, he was a rookie. He was aggressive but ineffective. I know he can score in bunches and has a nice jumper; do it when it matters.

Grade: C

Bronny James, Cam Reddish

Both Bronny and Reddish played under ten minutes in garbage time, so not much to judge. Bronny got his first NBA bucket and Reddish made a nice defensive effort.

JJ Redick

It's hard to blame Redick for this defeat. The Lakers were never really in it. Perhaps it's time to adjust the minutes and try some other players, like Knecht or Reddish, with Christie struggling. Overall, Reddick was okay; the team just needs to play better.

Grade: C+

Wednesday's inactives: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Maxwell Lewis, Christian Koloko, Quincy Olivari, Armel Traore, Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.