Player Grades: Lakers vs. Clippers

Grading every Lakers player’s performance from the team’s 106-102 win over the Clippers.

While the Lakers run of wins haven’t been all that aesthetically pleasing of late, there is something to be said about grinding out victories as they’ve been doing as well.

Friday was the latest, and best, example of gritting their way to a win. With Rui Hachimura out from the jump and Austin Reaves leaving during the first quarter, the Lakers were forced to turn to perhaps some unlikely players to close out the game.

The result was the same as the previous four though as they clinched the season series against the Clippers with their third win over their city rivals this year.

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.

Dorian Finney-Smith

31 minutes, 7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 3-6 FG, 1-3 3PT, -9

This felt like a DFS game. He made winning plays at the right time and helped the Lakers seal a win.

I’m a little surprised to see his plus-minus so low, but single-game plus-minus numbers aren’t great markers of how impactful a player is. Watching the game, it was easy to see him doing the right things.

Grade: B

LeBron James

37 minutes, 28 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 12-21 FG, 2-7 3PT, 2-3 FT, -1

What a performance from LeBron. On the second night of a back-to-back, he gutted out 37 minutes and controlled the game in doing so.

He had his jumper flowing and punished the Clippers on switches all night long. I feel bad for Ivica Zubac but more for Bogdan Bogdanović. He had to be having USA-Serbia flashbacks.

Grade: A

Jaxson Hayes

26 minutes, 5 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 blocks, 2-3 FG, 1-2 FT, -15

Another person whose stat line doesn’t seem to match up with the eye test. Maybe I need to wear glasses to fix that.

Hayes was tasked with going up against Zubac, which is no small task. One thing of note for Hayes, though, is how much his screening has improved. When he first joined the Lakers, he was good for at least one moving screen a game. Now, it’s common for him to go without getting one called through a whole contest.

Grade: B

Austin Reaves

Only nine minutes of action, so no grade tonight.

Luka Dončić

35 minutes, 31 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, 9-22 FG, 3-9 3PT, 10-11 FT, -13

Another night where his shot wasn’t falling, but he made the most of it. He still got to the basket and drew fouls to remain productive. He also hit a pair of huge 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to keep the Clippers at a distance.

But if this is what less than 100% Luka looks like, then oh my.

Grade: A-

Jarred Vanderbilt

15 minutes, 3 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 0-1 FG, 3-4 FT, +20

It was nice to see Vando make a big impact as a wing defender again. He was making life difficult for both James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.

Playing on both sides of a back-to-back is encouraging. Hopefully the minutes go up next.

Grade: B+

Gabe Vincent

26 minutes, 7 points, 3 assists, 4 steals, 1 block, 3-7 FG, 1-4 3PT, +11

This was a fun Gabe Vincent game, even if he wasn’t making shots. Five stocks exemplify what a pest he was on that end of the floor. Vincent and Vando had a big hand in Harden and Kawhi going a combined 13-39 from the field.

Grade: B+

Trey Jemison III

22 minutes, 5 points, 6 rebounds, 2-3 FG, 1-2 FT, +19

I really enjoy watching Trey Jemison play basketball. He’s such a chaotic and energetic presence. Pairing him with Jordan Goodwin gives the Lakers such a tough tandem off the bench.

Grade: A-

Jordan Goodwin

21 minutes, 6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 3-7 FG, 0-3 3PT, +14

Goodwin just does so many of the little things that it adds up to such a big impact in his short time on the court. There’s a reason that, after this game, Redick said Goodwin will be part of the rotation moving forward.

Grade: A-

Dalton Knecht

18 minutes, 8 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3-6 FG, 2-3 3PT, +2

The best Knecht game in quite some time. Knocking down shots, making some nice plays defensively and being a productive player. It all couldn’t have come at a better time with the Lakers down multiple big-minute role players.

Now, he needs to string together good games.

Grade: B+

JJ Redick

Redick keeps pushing the right buttons and getting the Lakers to lock in game after game. On Friday, that involved leaning on Trey Jemison more and his bench in general. Going to Gabe in the second half was a good call and he rewarded Redick accordingly.

Grade: B+

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

Friday’s inactives: Bronny James, Rui Hachimura, Maxi Kleber, Christian Koloko

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