Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James credited ball security as the driving force behind the Lakers' 122-114 win over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, James said:

"Well, that's the reason we won the game. We won the game because we did not turn the ball over tonight. And when we get shots at the goal, we can be very dangerous. And we weren't shooting the ball well at all, and because we didn't turn the ball over, we caught fire. We caught fire, because we got shots at the goal and we didn't turn the ball over."

L.A. only turned the ball over five times, while the Kings coughed it up 18 times. That discrepancy was likely the biggest difference in the contest.

James led the way for the Lakers with 31 points, marking his eighth 30-point showing in the past nine games. He also tied for the team lead in turnovers with only two.

For comparison, the Kings had four players turn the ball over at least three times, including guard De'Aaron Fox, who turned it over a team-high four times while also leading Sacramento with 30 points.

Although James was the Lakers' top performer Tuesday, Russell Westbrook accomplished something he hadn't done in nearly six years and played a big role in the victory as well.

In addition to his 19 points and seven rebounds in 34 minutes, Westbrook didn't commit a single turnover. Per McMenamin, Westbrook hadn't accomplished that feat since 2016, ending a streak of 407 games with at least one turnover.

Westbrook has faced a great deal of criticism this season since the Lakers gave up a big haul that included Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to acquire him from the Washington Wizards during the offseason.

The 33-year-old veteran's 19.5 points per game is his lowest scoring average since 2009-10, but he is also averaging 8.1 assists and 8.1 rebounds per contest, plus his 4.6 turnovers per game are right in line with what he has done over the past several years.

James needs Westbrook to play well now more than ever with Anthony Davis on the shelf because of a knee injury, and Russ undoubtedly answered the bell Tuesday.

With the victory over Sacramento, the Lakers have won three games in a row and are back over .500 at 20-19.

The Lakers are one of only five teams in the Western Conference with 20 or more wins, and while they are technically in seventh place, they are only percentage points behind the Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks for fifth.

LeBron and Westbrook will look to maintain their high level of play Friday when the Lakers host the Atlanta Hawks and go for their fourth win in a row.

LeBron James scored 14 of his 31 points in the final eight minutes as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings 122-114 on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena.

Sacramento led 96-89 with 8:11 left in the fourth after a Davion Mitchell floater capped an 11-0 run, but James took over down the stretch.

He hit two three-pointers and four layups and assisted on a pair of Malik Monk threes. The second Monk triple gave the Lakers the lead for good at 112-110 with 2:50 remaining in regulation.

James led all scorers. Monk scored 24 points and went 6-of-11 from three-point range. Dwight Howard dominated off the bench with a 14-point, 14-rebound double-double in 21 minutes.

De'Aaron Fox paced the Kings with 30 points, and Buddy Hield posted 26 points thanks in part to seven three-pointers.

The 20-19 Lakers have won three straight games. The Kings, who had won three of four entering Tuesday, dropped to 16-23.

     

Notable Performances

Lakers F LeBron James: 31 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds

Lakers SG Malik Monk: 24 points

Lakers C Dwight Howard: 14 points, 14 rebounds

Kings PG De'Aaron Fox: 30 points, 6 assists

Kings SG Buddy Hield: 26 points, 5 rebounds

    

LeBron, Monk Put on a Show in the 4th Quarter

The Kings went on an 11-0 run to take a 96-89 fourth-quarter lead. During that stretch, the Lakers went empty on five straight possessions thanks to two blocked shots, two turnovers and a missed three-pointer. Meanwhile, the Kings caught fire, causing the Lakers to call a timeout.

From that point forward, it was the LeBron James Show, with Monk acting as his sidekick.

James hit two quick buckets, but Hield responded with a pair of free throws.

Undeterred, Monk then nailed a three-pointer to cut the Kings' edge to 98-96. The Kings then scored four of the next six points, but Monk hit another three to slash the deficit to 102-101:

Big-time buckets from Malik Monk 🎯@Lakers and Kings in Q4 on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/TVvdOBAGEl

— NBA (@NBA) January 5, 2022

The two teams then traded big blows, with Hield and James alternating three-pointers on four straight possessions. However, Monk then put L.A. up 109-108 with this huge bucket:

Malik Monk gives the Lakers the lead 🍿 https://t.co/v1KExkH1Iq

— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 5, 2022

Tyrese Haliburton then made a two-pointer, but it was Monk yet again to put L.A. back on top with another three for a 112-110 lead.

From there, the Lakers dominated the paint with a James putback layup, a Russell Westbrook layup and a James three-point play, the latter of which put the icing on the cake:

LEBRON TAKEOVER. 😤 #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/MuAFkmmsB6

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) January 5, 2022

    

The Lakers face numerous obstacles these days with their defense struggling (in part because of Anthony Davis being sidelined with an injury), forcing them to win some shootouts.

That happened Tuesday with two scorching-hot players continuing their torrid pace.

James has 34.9 points per game in his last nine. Monk has now averaged 20.7 points in his last six games. Together, they willed the Lakers over .500, perhaps for good.

    

Fox- and Hield-Led Kings Can't Overcome Lakers' Paint Prowess, Turnovers

Fox and Hield kept the Kings in this game with some fantastic shooting. The duo combined for 56 points on a 20-of-39 clip, making nine three-pointers along the way. Sacramento needed their collective effort to keep pace with James, Monk and the rest of the hot-shooting Lakers, and the Kings nearly pulled it off before James took over.

Credit goes to Fox and Hield for a valiant effort, but a few issues ultimately doomed Sacramento outside James and Monk's fourth-quarter efforts.

First, Sacramento lost the battle in the paint. L.A. outscored Sacramento 62-46 in the key. The rebounding numbers were near even (Kings 45, Lakers 44), but Howard had seven offensive boards.

The Kings had no answer for Howard, who turned back the clock to 2009 with a vintage performance. He had 12 points and eight rebounds in the first half alone as he caught numerous lobs from Monk and finished them for powerful dunks:

Dwight Howard has 12 PTS and 8 REB in the first half for the @Lakers on @NBATV! pic.twitter.com/fSULLYfiAe

— NBA (@NBA) January 5, 2022

Howard's minutes proved crucial, as the Lakers finished plus-11 with him on the court.

The other Kings issue was that they committed 18 turnovers to the Lakers' five. They were simply too sloppy with the basketball at times, and five of them occurred in the fourth quarter. Four players had at least three turnovers.

Sacramento's defense was also lacking on this night, with the team only getting two steals and blocking three shots.

In the end, the Kings were in position to win late despite numerous concerns on their end, and that's an encouraging sign for a team that appears to be turning it around based on its recent performances.

They have some things to clean up, but there's plenty of time for Sacramento to fix them in time in hopes of breaking a 16-year playoff drought.

      

What's Next?

Both teams will host the Atlanta Hawks next.

Atlanta will visit Sacramento on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center before L.A. welcomes the Hawks to town on Friday. Both games are scheduled to start at 10 p.m. ET.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Stanley Johnson have "mutual interest" in prolonging his tenure with the team, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Los Angeles signed Johnson to a 10-day contract on Dec. 24. In five games, he has averaged 6.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 25.2 minutes on the floor.

Head coach Frank Vogel was complimentary toward the 25-year-old and signaled a desire to keep him within the squad:

Vogel just said "Stanley Johnson has potentially become a factor for us."

— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) January 3, 2022

"We still hope to have him back for some more games." -- Frank Vogel on Stanley Johnson. #Lakers #LakeSHow

— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) January 3, 2022

The Lakers' step backward on defense is one reason why they find themselves seventh in the Western Conference at 19-19. They were first in defensive rating in 2020-21 (106.8) and now rank 14th (108.4).

Johnson has already earned six steals with L.A., and Vogel explained how the 6'6" forward can be a valuable help defender against smaller guards. He has shown why he can carve out a role in the rotation going forward.

By waiting to table another 10-day contract or a prorated offer for the remainder of the season, the Lakers risk having a different team swoop in to sign him.

Delaying a decision would, however, somewhat lessen the impact on the luxury tax for a prorated deal. Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus highlighted another reason why a few days can make a big difference because of NBA roster rules:

This is an often asked misconception. Roster spots are extremely valuable going into the Feb 10 trade deadline. LAL just opened a spot via trade - waiting 2 days to keep Stanley Johnson (assuming) flexible on a pair of 10-days could make necessary room for a trade https://t.co/b2wYek8i9t

— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) January 4, 2022

Say they signed Stanley today for the rest of the season, but then in a few weeks need a roster spot, so they have to cut him. Maybe he's claimed off waivers - and they don't get him back. The tax isn't the motivation - the flexibility is

— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) January 4, 2022

General manager Rob Pelinka or another member of the front office has presumably reached out to Johnson or his representatives to say the team wants him to return.

That could allow the two sides to achieve a resolution that's mutually beneficial.

Don't expect to see tattoos on the right arm of Malik Monk anytime soon.

The Los Angeles Lakers guard said Monday how his dominant arm is "strictly for buckets," explaining how the idea goes back to something former NBA swingman Nick Young once said.

Malik Monk said he was 17 when he heard Nick Young said he only got tattoos on his left arm because his right arm, featuring his shooting hand, was “strictly for buckets,” and so Monk started doing the same thing. He almost has a full sleeve on his L arm but his R is off limits

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 3, 2022

Young shared a photo in 2014 in which he was getting some fresh ink on his left arm. He later added he was intentionally keeping his right arm tattoo-free:

No tats on the right arm Strictly for buckets

— Nick Young (@NickSwagyPYoung) August 15, 2014

It may distress Monk to know Young later reversed course and defended his about-face by saying his unblemished arm was "mad I put limitations on it."

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook has faced criticism about his efficiency and even that he chases stats throughout his career, but to hear him tell it his turnovers and missed shots are "part of the game."

Westbrook told reporters as much following Sunday's 108-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves:

I disagree with the point that the game wasn't going my way. My game is not predicated on shots or if I turn the ball over. If I miss some shots, that's part of the game. I'm allowed to miss shots. I can do that. Like any other player, I can do that. I can turn the ball over too. I can do that, that's all a part of the game. But when you watch a basketball game and figure out what impact is, making the right plays, boxing out, rebounding, whatever that may be, making the right play, making the right reads. That's all about being a basketball player.

Turnovers were certainly a concern despite the win against the Timberwolves.

Westbrook finished with nine while missing all five of his attempts from beyond the arc. Los Angeles still escaped with the victory thanks in large part to LeBron James stuffing the stat sheet with 26 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and just one turnover, but it is fair to wonder about the overall fit for a Lakers squad that is just 19-19.

Whether the ball-dominant Westbrook will fit with James and Anthony Davis in the biggest moments of the playoffs remains to be seen, but Los Angeles fans surely won't think the point guard turning it over nine times is just "part of the game" if it costs the storied franchise a chance at a championship.

Even if it didn't cost the Purple and Gold on Sunday.         

Rajon Rondo is headed to yet another team.

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly traded Rondo to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Los Angeles would receive Denzel Valentine in return and then waive the shooting guard, who averaged 2.9 points per game in 9.3 minutes over 22 games (no starts) this season. 

Charania reported on Thursday that the Cavaliers were in "serious talks" to land the point guard after Ricky Rubio suffered a season-ending ACL tear.

Los Angeles just signed Rondo this past offseason after he spent the 2020-21 campaign on the L.A. Clippers and Atlanta Hawks. The veteran point guard also helped lead the Lakers to the championship during the 2019-20 season.

That Rondo was traded is not particularly surprising.

Cleveland could have used more backcourt depth even before the Rubio injury considering Collin Sexton was lost for the campaign following a meniscus tear.

The Cavaliers are playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference, so the connections to a veteran leader with championship experience made sense. However, that also made him someone who was potentially intriguing for a number of other contenders.

Rondo is no longer the player he was in his prime for the Boston Celtics, but his resume includes two NBA championships, four All-Star selections and four All-Defensive selections. At his best, he was a double-double threat who could get out in transition, score at the rim and facilitate for teammates either on the break or on kickouts in half-court sets after he drew multiple defenders with drives.

He has laced it up for the Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, Lakers, Hawks, Clippers and Lakers again this season.

The University of Kentucky product was a rotational player at best for the Purple and Gold this season at this point of his career. He averaged 3.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 0.7 steals in 16.1 minutes a night across 18 games.

While Rondo is no longer the dominant force he was on the Celtics at 35 years old, he probably brings more to the table than he did for the Lakers this season.

If he can tap into some of his playmaking abilities to help the Cavaliers reach the playoffs, he figures to be a part of their postseason rotation given his track record as a championship-level player.

Cleveland is a young team with building blocks such as Darius Garland and Evan Mobley and should be primed to compete for playoff spots for the foreseeable future. Its last postseason appearance came during the 2017-18 campaign with LeBron James leading the way during four straight NBA Finals appearances.

While the franchise's ceiling is not there this season, it at least has someone with championship experience to address the backcourt depth problems.           

The Cleveland Cavaliers are holding "serious talks" with the Los Angeles Lakers to acquire veteran point guard Rajon Rondo, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed the report: 

The Cleveland Cavaliers are nearing a trade to acquire Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo -- and an agreement is expected to be reached as soon as Friday, sources tell ESPN. Rondo would be able to join Cleveland as soon as he clears Covid protocols.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 30, 2021

That comes in the wake of Ricky Rubio tearing his ACL this week, ending his season, while Collin Sexton was already out for the year with a torn meniscus. Those two injuries have left the resurgent Cavs (20-14) incredibly thin at point guard.

Rondo, 35, hasn't made much of an impact for the Lakers this season, averaging just 3.1 points and 3.7 assists in 16.1 minutes per game across 18 contests. While a hamstring injury and his current stint in the league's health and safety protocols have cost him games, he's fallen down the pecking order in the rotation.

And with veteran Darren Collison recently added to the roster, Rondo is expendable for the Lakers. 

His potential trade would end his second stint with the team after he spent the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons with the Lakers, which included winning a title. 

More thoughts on CLE acquiring Rondo (assuming it happens!):

-CLE will need to waive a player. Probably Ed Davis, given his non-gtd status

-LA will create a small $1.7M TPE, but it will probably go unused, given they'd just trade using Minimum Salary Exception + no roster spots

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) December 30, 2021

But since spending parts of the first nine seasons of his career with the Boston Celtics, Rondo hasn't lasted anywhere long. Since leaving Boston in the 2014-15 season, Rondo has played for seven different teams and hasn't lasted more than two years at any one destination. 

If nothing else, Rondo will bring experience to a young Cavaliers team trying to reach the postseason for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign, when LeBron James still played for the team. 

Led by Darius Garland (19.5 PPG, 7.3 APG), Jarrett Allen (16.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG) and ascendant rookie Evan Mobley (14.1 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.8 BPG), the Cavs are one of the NBA's best stories this season. Rondo should help patch up some of the team's depth issues in the backcourt. 

Ja Morant posted 41 points and 10 rebounds en route to leading the Memphis Grizzlies to a 104-99 comeback win over the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Wednesday.

After the game, Lakers forward LeBron James called Morant "spectacular."

The four-time NBA MVP was excellent in his own right with 37 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. James and Morant each had two blocks and two steals as well.

The duo also joined an exclusive list along the way:

Ja Morant and LeBron James became the third pair of opponents in @NBAHistory to each put up 35+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 6+ threes in a game, as Memphis topped LA in a thriller!@JaMorant: 41 PTS, 10 REB, 6 3PM (career high)@KingJames: 37 PTS, 13 REB, 7 AST, 8 3PM pic.twitter.com/F36oQmUqP3

— NBA (@NBA) December 30, 2021

But Morant was sensational down the stretch, scoring 11 points in the final 7:16 of regulation. That scoring spurt included this putback layup off his own miss to increase Memphis' lead to 102-97 with 1:13 remaining:

🚨 41 FOR JA! 🚨

The hustle play gives him a season-high...3-point game with under a minute to play on @NBATV. pic.twitter.com/2jUrFzCIfm

— NBA (@NBA) December 30, 2021

He also hit a three with time winding down in the third quarter to give himself 14 points for the frame and 30 up until that juncture:

COME FOR THE BUCKET. STAY FOR THE GRIDDY 🚨

14 in the quarter. another 30 burger for @JaMorant.#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/roHfWCZe7m

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) December 30, 2021

Morant made his first six three-point attempts en route to shooting 6-of-7 from beyond the arc on the night.

The former Murray State star appears well on his way to his first-ever All-Star Game appearance.

Not only is he averaging career-highs with 24.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game, but the 22-14 Grizzlies are safely in the top four of the Western Conference after an excellent start.

Morant and Memphis will look to extend their three-game win streak when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Friday evening.

Tensions are starting to mount after the Los Angeles Lakers suffered their sixth loss in their last seven games, falling to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

After the team blew a 14-point second-half lead, Lakers guard Malik Monk didn't hold back when talking to reporters after the game.

"S--t is super frustrating, man," he said. "We've been doing this all year. And we know. We know what it takes. That's why it's so frustrating for us."

Monk had 15 points in the Lakers' 104-99 loss. Los Angeles was led by LeBron James, who poured in 37 points and tied a career-high with eight three-pointers. Russell Westbrook had 16 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. No other Lakers players scored in double figures.

Los Angeles' only win in this recent stretch came Tuesday against the Houston Rockets, who are last in the Western Conference with a 10-25 record. The Lakers suffered three double-digit losses, a 28-point blowout to the San Antonio Spurs and two 18-point defeats to the Phoenix Suns and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Los Angeles is playing without star forward Anthony Davis, who is sidelined for at least a few more weeks after suffering a sprained MCL on Dec. 17. Davis had been in the midst of a strong season with averages of 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.0 blocks.

The Lakers have to hope to get back on track during their upcoming five-game homestand that starts Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers. Los Angeles will also play host to the Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks before welcoming the Grizzlies to town for a rematch on Jan. 9.