When the Lakers built out their team with more depth this offseason, a game like this was likely what they had in mind.<\/p>\n
At the start of five games in seven nights and on the second night of the back-to-back, the Lakers rested Luka Don\u010di\u0107 along with Ziaire Williams, Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr all being out. But they still had plenty of quality players \u2014 and a really, really bad opponent \u2014 to rely on.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t a pretty game by any means, but the Lakers\u2019 defense and talent won out. Guys like Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton showed out exactly how you\u2019d hope with Luka sidelined. These are the types of games you hope to sprinkle in through an 82-game season where you give your stars some rest and turn to your depth.<\/p>\n
In the first test, the Lakers passed with flying colors.<\/p>\n
So, let\u2019s dive into the win<\/a>. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A \u201cB\u201d grade represents the average performance for that player.<\/p>\n 28 minutes, 15 points, 1 rebound, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 5-6 FG, 4-5 3PT, 1-2 FT, +0<\/p>\n Prior to Sexton\u2019s third-quarter explosion, it looked like Thybulle was going to be the role player of the night. He was perfect in the first half and this felt like safely his best game of the season so far.<\/p>\n 34 minutes, 2 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 3 fouls, 2 turnovers, 1-2 FG, +3<\/p>\n After a pretty lackluster game on Tuesday, LaRavia had a great bounce back game. Five offensive rebounds and five stocks showed how hard he was playing. You can more easily forgive misteps if someone is playing hard.<\/p>\n 26 minutes, 11 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 block, 2 fouls, 4-7 FG, 3-5 FT, -7<\/p>\n Kessler had a much quieter game against the Clippers this time around. Still, it was impactful when it needed to be with some big blocks or steals. He\u2019s still finding his rhythm and timing on offense and it was apparent at times on Wednesday. But still a solid game.<\/p>\n 38 minutes, 23 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 2 fouls, 3 turnovers, 7-15 FG, 0-3 3PT, 9-11 FT, +10<\/p>\n Another player who responded after poor showings against the Blazers with big games on Wednesday. Grimes looked much more like himself by attacking the basket and getting to the line. Hopefully he can translate this to games with Luka as well.<\/p>\n 30 minutes, 16 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, 8 turnovers, 6-16 FG, 1-6 3PT, 3-4 FT, +7<\/p>\n Chip Engelland is basically considered the shot doctor in the modern NBA. Whatever the equivalent of that is for dribbling, Austin needs to work with him.<\/p>\n The Clippers were sending multiple guys at him basically any time he had the ball with under 10 seconds in the shot clock and he did not handle it well.<\/p>\n 30 minutes, 13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 4 fouls, 2 turnovers, 6-15 FG, 0-5 3PT, 1-1 FT, +21<\/p>\n Mamu\u2019s game wasn\u2019t efficient, but it was very active. And given how the game played out, that might have been the better of the two options.<\/p>\n 21 minutes, 21 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 fouls, 1 turnover, 6-11 FG, 4-7 3PT, 5-8 FT, +23<\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to imagine a more perfect showcase of what the Lakers wanted when they signed Sexton. He got to the rim relentlessly, mixed in some catch-and-shoot 3-pointers and took over in the third quarter to really put this game to bed.<\/p>\n 21 minutes, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 fouls, 1 turnover, 0-1 FG, +22<\/p>\n Welcome back, Vando. He may not be the long-term answer at backup center but he\u2019s the answer for right now and that\u2019s more than adequate. Playing him alongside Mamu in the frontcourt gives the backup unit a lot of pace and speed and intensity.<\/p>\n In nine minutes, Hardy took six shots, five of them threes, and missed them all. There\u2019s guys like Vando who make the most of their opportunities and play their way into the rotation and then there\u2019s this.<\/p>\n Redick finally pulled the chute on Kevon Looney at backup center and turned to Vando with great aplomb. I also liked how long he kept Sexton and Grimes out there with Reaves on the bench. Austin ends up only playing 30, a lot of those low-intensity minutes in the fourth.<\/p>\n Friday\u2019s DNPs: Bronny James, Kevon Looney, Chris Ma\u00f1on<\/p>\n Friday\u2019s inactives: Lawson Lovering, Cameron Carr, Adou Thiero, Luka Doncic, Ziaire Williams, Arthur Kaluma<\/p>\n You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude<\/a> or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social<\/a>.<\/p>\n