Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Recap March 3, 2023

The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 110-102 in a game that saw both teams trading leads back and forth until the Timberwolves were able to pull away in the 4th quarter, thanks in large part to the impressive play of Rudy Gobert, who had a double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds on the night. Naz Reid and Taurean Prince contributed with 15 and 13 points respectively off the bench.

Anthony Davis had a standout performance for the Lakers, scoring 38 points and grabbing five rebounds, but it was not enough to lift his team to victory. Malik Beasley also had 15 points for the Lakers.

The Lakers struggled with their shooting, hitting only 41.9% of their field goals and 32.3% of their three-point attempts. In contrast, the Timberwolves shot 49.3% from the field and 41.9% from beyond the arc. The Lakers were also hurt by turnovers, committing 15 compared to the Timberwolves' 8. Dennis Schroder had 6 of those Laker turnovers.

With this loss, the Lakers fall to 30-34. They need every win that they can get to try to make the playoffs, especially as it was announced that LeBron James will likely miss three weeks due to a tendon injury in his right foot.

LeBron James Likely Out For Three Weeks

The Los Angeles Lakers announced that LeBron James will likely miss most of March due to a tendon injury in his right foot. This could potentially leave the Lakers without the league's all-time scoring leader during the final 19 games of the season, as James is expected to be out for at least 10 of those games.

However, the Lakers are still in contention for a playoff spot, currently sitting at 11th in the Western Conference standings, just one game away from the 10th seed for the play-in, and 2 1/2 games from the 6th seed, which would guarantee a playoff spot.

While the team will miss James' scoring contributions, who leads the Lakers in scoring at 29.5 points per game, they do have a relatively easy schedule for the remainder of the season. Seven of the 19 remaining games are against teams with a record of .500, and they are also about to start a five game homestand. Still, the Lakers will need multiple people to step up in his absence.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Recap March 1, 2023

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 123-117 in an entertaining contest between two teams. Dennis Schroder led the way for the Lakers with 26 points and six assists, while Troy Brown Jr. added 19 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting.

The Thunder's rookie sensation Josh Giddey continued his impressive form with 22 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists. Jalen Williams contributed 24 points, seven assists, and three steals, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Lakers.

The game was neck-and-neck with both teams exchanging leads throughout the game. However, the Lakers pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring the Thunder 33-24 to hold on and secure the victory.

One of the key factors in the Lakers' win was their bench production. Austin Reaves and Lonnie Walker IV combined for 32 points off the bench, providing valuable scoring and energy to the team.

The Lakers were missing several key players, including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and D'Angelo Russell, but they managed to find a way to win despite their depleted roster. The win improves their record to 30-33, while the Thunder fall to 28-34.

February 28, 2023 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Memphis Grizzlies Recap

The Memphis Grizzlies took down the Los Angeles Lakers 121-109 in a hard-fought battle, where Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with a season-high 39 points. Although the Lakers managed to keep the game close in the first half, the Grizzlies took control in the second half and sealed the deal with a convincing victory.

Despite missing LeBron James due to injury, the Lakers started the game strong with Anthony Davis putting up 28 points and 19 rebounds. However, the rest of the team struggled with poor shooting, including Troy Brown Jr., who shot 1-8 from the field, and Jarred Vanderbilt, who only scored four points.

In contrast, the Grizzlies had a balanced attack, with four players scoring in double figures. Along with Morant's stellar performance, Xavier Tillman had a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 16 points. Desmond Bane provided a spark off the bench, scoring 16 points and contributing four steals.

Although the Lakers had some bright spots with Austin Reaves and Lonnie Walker IV scoring 17 and 21 points, respectively, it was not enough to overcome the Grizzlies. The Lakers dropped to a record of 29-33 with this loss.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies continued to impress with their victory over the Lakers, improving their record to 37-23 and maintaining their spot at the top of the Southwest division. With Morant leading the charge, the Grizzlies are looking like a dangerous team heading into the playoffs, with Tillman and Jackson Jr. providing solid contributions in the frontcourt.

February 26, 2023 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks Recap

The Lakers were able to come out with a win over the Mavericks with a final score of 111-108. Despite a slow start, the Lakers managed to come back in the second half and secure the victory after being down 27 points.

Anthony Davis had a dominant performance with 30 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks. LeBron James also had a solid showing with 26 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Jarred Vanderbilt made the most of his start, contributing 15 points and 17 rebounds. Dennis Schroder rounded out the Lakers' top scorers with 16 points and eight assists.

On the other side, Luka Doncic had a strong game for the Mavericks, putting up 26 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Kyrie Irving added 21 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. Christian Wood was productive off the bench with 14 points and nine rebounds, while Tim Hardaway Jr. contributed 17 points.

The Lakers shot 43.3% from the field, 17.6% from beyond the arc, and 75.0% from the free-throw line. The Mavericks shot 42.3% from the field, 36.4% from beyond the arc, and 62.5% from the free-throw line.

The Lakers' win keeps them in playoff contention if they can continue winning, but they will also need some luck on their side just to get a shot, as their record is currently 29-32.