LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 6: Walker Kessler #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup on November 6, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images Jacob Rude · SB Nation Sat, November 7, 2026 at 6:57 AM UTC · 5 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For so long in the LeBron James-Anthony Davis era, the Lakers were searching for 3-and-D wings to put around their stars.
One of the best parts of this current Lakers team is the dearth of wings. Not only does it allow them to have multiple of them on the floor throughout the game, but it also affords them options depending on who is playing well.
On Friday, for example, Matisse Thybulle, who has been a consistent contributor this season, struggled. The Lakers were able to turn to Jake LaRavia, then Ziaire Williams and even debuted Adou Thiero as well. It's such a luxury that this team hasn't had for years, allowing them to pick and choose the best groupings each night.
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.
24 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 2 fouls, 3 steals, 2 turnovers, 0-1 FG, -8
As mentioned, this wasn't a great game for Thybulle. He had a couple of sloppy closeouts early and committed some frustrating turnovers.
24 minutes, 7 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 6 fouls, 1 turnover, 2-5 FG, 2-3 3PT, 1-4 FT, -16
Something about playing the Blazers messes with LaRavia's brain or something, because his two worst games of the year have come against them. Fortunately in this outing, he was able to mix in plenty of good moments to still be a positive contributor.
37 minutes, 16 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 5 fouls, 1 turnover, 7-10 FG, 2-3 FT, +8
Another quietly impressive game from Kessler , who held his own against Donovan Clingan throughout the night. His funniest basket of the night came toward the end when the Blazers forgot about him in front of the rim on an inbound.
38 minutes, 25 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, 4 fouls, 2 turnovers, 8-22 FG, 1-8 3PT, 8-8 FT, -6
Austin was at the center of the Lakers' poor start, going 4-15 from the field in the first three quarters. But when he was needed, Reaves responded in the fourth, scoring 15 points on 4-7 shooting, including a huge steal and dunk late.
38 minutes, 53 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 3 fouls, 3 turnovers, 17-33 FG, 5-15 3PT, 14-18 FT, +16
You know what kind of run Luka is on right now? The type where, from the moment he let go of that shot from the opposite free throw line, every Lakers fan immediately thought, "That looks good."
20 minutes, 2 points, 2 steals, 2 fouls, 1 turnover, 1-3 FG, 0-2 3PT, +19
Grimes still looks a bit of a mess on offense. It screams of overthinking and not finding a rhythm. Even as he's struggled, though, he's still been a positive on the defensive end.
But they could really use him finding a groove on offense.
20 minutes, 7 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 2-6 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2-2 FT, +19
We got a look at the Mamu-Kessler front court in the first half tonight, something the team probably hasn't been able to do as much as they wished. Mamu has had to be used as the backup five, not leaving many minutes for a jumbo-sized frontcourt.
19 minutes, 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 foul, 1 turnover, 3-5 FG, 2-4 3PT, +8
Having a player like Ziaire available to come off the bench is such a luxury. His tip of the pass late in the fourth that Austin was then able to steal was a crucial play to help seal the win.
10 minutes, 1 assist, 5 fouls, 0-4 FG, 0-1 3PT, -10
I feel like Sexton has been afforded an appropriate amount of time for not getting a preseason. This is just really, really bad now. If you wanted to find a place for minutes for Cameron Carr, Sexton can't be far away from being taken out of the rotation.
While he only played six minutes, Thiero was fantastic. The Lakers were using him as a screener and lob threat and, unironically, it's a great use of him. He got a lob and found Ziaire for a dunk of his own in the first half.
His energy and activity level is always so high that he just makes an impact.
I'll give Redick credit for what I mentioned above in his use of Thiero, who replaced Jarred Vanderbilt in the rotation. The team, realistically, can't survive having two non-shooting wings on the floor and investing in Thiero is the right call.
I'll knock him for that second challenge, though. But overall, it was a solid night from him.
Friday's DNPs: Jaden Hardy, Kevon Looney, Jarred Vanderbilt, Lawson Lovering
Friday's inactives: Cameron Carr, Bronny James, Arthur Kaluma, Chris Mañon
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social .
Source: Sports
