Player Grades: Lakers vs. Jazz

Grading every Lakers player’s performance from the team’s 132-113 win over the Jazz.

In drawing up a perfect debut for Luka Dončić, it wouldn’t have looked much more different than what played out on Monday.

While it might have featured a more gaudy stat line from Luka, it would have featured great vibes, highlight plays and a blowout victory.

Check, check and check.

The Lakers are going to have some learning and growing to do, but if the baseline was this? Oh my. That was a lot of fun and, in theory, it’s only up from here.

Sign me up.

So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.

Rui Hachimura

29 minutes, 21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 8-14 FG, 3-6 3PT, 2-2 FT, +16

There’s been a lot of talk about how Jaxson Hayes will feast in this starting lineup, but Rui is about to get so many open looks. If you’re putting your three best defenders on LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Luka, you have no one left to put on Rui.

On top of that, he’s been on a tear of late, too.

Grade: A

LeBron James

29 minutes, 24 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 10-17 FG, 3-7 3PT, 1-2 FT, +24

The energy LeBron has had post-Luka trade has been incredible to see. He deferred to Luka early on — including with the pregame introductions — and then flipped a switch.

He turned the ball over too much at seven times, but just the glimpses of what he, Luka and Austin can do together was incredibly enticing. Think of how many times he’s going to leak out for Luka hit-ahead/outlet passes.

This is going to be so much fun.

Grade: A-

Jaxson Hayes

23 minutes, 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 6-6 FG, +12

There’s been a lot of talk lately about the centers the Lakers need to sign or the ones they couldn’t trade for. But during that time, Hayes has played as well as you could expect from him.

Since Anthony Davis went on TV and said he wanted another center, Hayes has averaged 7.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while shooting 78.9% from the field in 21 minutes per game.

Now, with Luka on the team, he’s about to be absolutely spoonfed buckets all game long.

Grade: A

Austin Reaves

32 minutes, 22 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 6-10 FG, 3-5 3PT, 7-7 FT, +27

It’s crazy to think the guy who just scored 45 points two days ago is now the third choice on the team. That’s an insane amount of talent on this team.

What will be interesting is what Reaves might look like defensively over the coming weeks. At one point early in his career, he was a solid defender. With significantly fewer offensive responsibilities, can he pick up his intensity on that end again?

Grade: A

Luka Dončić

24 minutes, 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 5-14 FG, 1-7 3PT, 3-3 FT, +15

If we’re examining this one game, then Luka looked a lot like someone who just missed nearly six weeks. He was rusty, his shot looked off and he definitely looked gassed. But those are all things you would expect from a long layoff.

If we’re examining this game with an eye on the future, then there was a lot of interesting things to note. The amount of time Luka wasn’t on the ball was one early takeaway. The Lakers are going to continue to have a more egalitarian approach offensively, which is going to mean Luka might be involved in more weakside actions.

And if you can put Luka in positions where he’s attacking a compromised defense? Well then good night.

Grade: C+

Dorian Finney-Smith

26 minutes, 4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1-4 FG, 0-3 3PT, 2-2 FT, +13

As someone who doesn’t typically look at the box score during games, the stat line for DFS never really matches what the eye test shows during games. The team is better with him on the court, no matter what the box scores or counting stats may say.

Grade: B+

Gabe Vincent

18 minutes, 11 points, 4 assists, 4-9 FG, 3-8 3PT, +17

Gabe Vincent is just good now. The sample size is growing and his level of play isn’t dropping. He provides something the other guards don’t with his defense and if he can continue to pair that with shot making, he’s going to be a key piece of this rotation.

Grade: A-

Jarred Vanderbilt

17 minutes, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 0-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, +4

This was definitely the worst game for Vando since his return. It’s fine and isn’t much to worry about.

Grade: F

Jordan Goodwin

22 minutes, 17 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals 8-11 FG, 1-2 3PT, +0

Two games running, this one alongside LeBron and Luka, where Goodwin has looked very much the part of a rotational guard. Granted, this came against a very unserious Jazz team, but there isn’t much of an argument against him staying in the rotation right now.

Grade: A-

Shake Milton, Trey Jemison III, Markieff Morris

I love Jemison’s chaotic energy. It’s exactly what you want/expect from a two-way guy. But maybe foul a little less?

JJ Redick

There are so many things JJ is doing well right now, but the way this defense is clicking right now is so impressive. They’re flying around the court and creating havoc that leads to transition baskets.

Grade: A-

Thursday’s inactives: Cam Reddish, Christian Wood, Maxi Kleber, Christian Koloko, Bronny James, Dalton Knecht

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.