Lakers news: LeBron’s faith in Reaves, Anthony Davis milestone, Kyle Kuzma trade market
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers completed a six-game road trip with a 3-3 record on Sunday night with a 124-117 win over the Detroit Pistons. This win moved the Lakers’ overall record to 11-15, putting them 12th in the Western Conference.
While the three-game losing streak during the road trip did take some of the air out of the fanbase’s tires, going 3-3 in the tough slate of games that the Lakers had is still a small win. We shouldn’t forget about the team’s big win over the Milwaukee Bucks that kickstarted the road trip.
Los Angeles could surpass that win with a win over the Boston Celtics on Tuesday. This rivalry matchup kicks off a three-game homestand for Los Angeles that lasts through Sunday. Here is the latest Lakers news roundup ahead of this homestand.
Lakers news roundup:
- Anthony Davis reached 15,000 points in Sunday’s win over the Detroit Pistons. For comparison, LeBron became the youngest player to reach 15,000 points, crossing the threshold in his 657th game. Davis reached the mark in his 627th game. Giannis Antetokounmpo also crossed 15,000 points on Sunday, doing so in his 678th game.
- Kyle Kuzma’s trade market is starting to develop, putting the Lakers behind the eight ball for a potential reunion. Kuzma is reportedly coveted by the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks.
- LeBron James became the oldest player in Lakers franchise history to record 35 points, five rebounds and five assists in a game. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the previous record holder, having done so 79 days younger than LeBron did.
- LeBron was not shy in expressing his faith in Austin Reaves after the Lakers’ win over the Pistons on Sunday. Reaves finished with nine points in 29 minutes.
NBA news roundup:
- Longtime NBA coach Paul Silas died Sunday at the age of 79. Silas won three championships as a member of the Boston Celtics. His son, Stephen Silas, is the coach of the Houston Rockets. Silas coached LeBron James in his first two years in the leauge.
- $104 million man Jalen Brunson sprained his ankle in the New York Knicks’ 112-99 win over the Kings on Sunday. Brunson is averaging 20.1 points and 6.3 assists per game. The Lakers do not play the Knicks until January 31.
- Joel Embiid scored 53 points with 12 rebounds against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. This is Embiid’s fourth 50-point game of his career. Every other NBA center since Shaquille O’Neal retired has five combined 50-point games (DeMarcus Cousins 2, Karl-Anthony Towns 2, Nikola Jokic 1).