Player Grades: Lakers vs. Magic

Grading every Lakers player’s performance from the team’s 118-106 loss to the Magic.

Come quick Lakers fans, a new disappointing loss just dropped.

This trio of defeats has had different justifications for each result. First, we had the shorthanded team loss against the Bucks, then the getting our groove-back matchup against the Bulls and now we added a road trip defeat to the repertoire with the Lakers falling to the Orlando Magic 118-106.

The only thing more tired than these players is the same comments being made after each result. We’ve heard enough about playing with intensity, focus, or whatever buzzword JJ Redick uses to reflect the inadequate effort.

Yes, this team went through a big change at the trade deadline. However, we are 71 games in and talking about the willingness to do what it takes to win. The Lakers either need to fix this or pack for Cancun. Before we plan for Mexico, we need to look back at this stinker.

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.

Dorian Finney-Smith

35 minutes, 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 5-7 FG, 4-6 3PT, -6

In a game filled with disappointing performances, DFS came to play. He took advantage of his shots, tied for most threes on the team and was the team leader in rebounds. Add in a couple of steals and the Lakers have to be pleased with the game DFS had tonight.

Grade: A

LeBron James

38 minutes, 24 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 9-18 FG, 0-3 3PT, 6-7 FT, -17

This was LeBron’s second game back since returning from his groin injury and he still hasn’t returned to form.

He hasn’t been able to dominate or impose his will on the game, and the Lakers certainly needed him to do that in this one, especially in the second half. Hopefully, he will start looking like himself again as soon as possible.

Grade: C-

Jaxson Hayes

18 minutes, 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, 2-4 FG, -10

Where has that great chemistry between Hayes and Luka Dončić gone? We only got a few attempts at the basket from the Lakers big tonight and they were virtually all contested shots.

Hayes did have a moment in the second half where he went to the locker room after a hard fall, so maybe that affected his play, but even so, he returned to the game, and before that happened, he was already struggling.

Grade: D

Luka Dončić

38 minutes, 32 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 9-23 FG, 4-10 3PT, 10-11 FT, -9

Luka didn’t have a great game, but he at least had some fight in him. He scored 11 straight in the first quarter, generated some fouls and went 10-11 from the free throw line, an area of his game he’s been struggling with.

Defensively, he was lacking, and his shooting inefficiency really hurt the team in the second half when they needed an offensive boost and no one was able to respond.

Grade: C

Austin Reaves

36 minutes, 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 7-16 FG, 1-6 3PT, 3-4 FT, -7

For every good Austin play on Monday, there was an equal or worse one. Sure, he had some nice dribbles, but he also had some ugly turnovers and James Harden-esque possessions where he had lots of movement that amounted to nothing.

Now that Luka and LeBron are back, Austin has to find comfort in his role and excel in it. Against the Magic, all he did was struggle.

Grade: C-

Rui Hachimura

24 minutes, 5 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 2-4 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1-2 FT, -1

Rui is on a minutes restriction and feels he’s around 70-80% healthy so that context is needed when looking at his play. However, if you are going to suit up, you have to be better, or else, maybe you should sit. If Hachimura can only give you five points and three rebounds in 24 minutes, then he should watch like the rest of us.

Grade: D+

Gabe Vincent

20 minutes, 4 points, 1 rebound, 2 steals, 2-6 FG, 0-4 3PT, -2

Vincent was whelming in this game. He didn’t disappoint, wasn’t frustrating, but I barely noticed he was on the floor.

Grade: D+

Jarred Vanderbilt

12 minutes, 1 point, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0-1 FG, 1-2 FT, -2

Since returning from injury, we’ve gotten less and less from Vando as time has gone on. He isn’t impacting defense as much, can’t score and is struggling to stay on the floor because of it. Vando played for just 12 minutes in this game, and given the foul trouble he had and the team needing buckets in the second half, that was a good call by Redick.

Grade: D-

Jordan Goodwin

13 minutes, 1 rebound, 1-2 FT, 0

Goodwin is a nice, try-hard player, but he is not helpful in matchups where your team needs points. Games like this remind you why he didn’t make an impact on losing teams and has bounced around the league.

Grade: D-

Dalton Knecht, Trey Jemison III

Trey played for one minute, and Knecht had a short shift early, and that was the end of his night. Since neither player cracked the ten-minute mark, they will not get grades in this game.

JJ Redick

The Lakers continue to come out flat in the third, and while the players are responsible, so is the coach. I don’t know what speech he has to give, lineup change needs to be made, or set offense he has to run, but something has to change.

Redick has made good adjustments in the past and I expect him to do the same during this road trip.

Grade: D+

Monday’s DNPs: Alex Len, Markieff Morris, Cam Reddish, Shake Milton

Monday’s inactives: Maxi Kleber, Bronny James, Christian Koloko

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.