Grading Lakers Players After Blowout 119-101 Victory Against Spurs: Davis Outplays Wemby

Anthony Davis delivered a dominant performance with 19 points and 14 rebounds, while LeBron James recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 119-101 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. Rookie Dalton Knecht shone with 20 points, including four 3-pointers, as the Lakers ended their three-game losing streak. 

The Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama’s 20 points and 10 rebounds, saw their four-game winning streak snapped despite strong contributions from Harrison Barnes (19 points) and Julian Champagnie (18 points).

The Lakers built an early 15-point lead but faced resistance when San Antonio closed the gap to eight before halftime. However, Austin Reaves nailed a 3-pointer over Wembanyama to give Los Angeles a 58-47 halftime advantage. The Spurs trimmed the deficit to four in the third quarter, but Knecht’s critical sequence—scoring a floater, stealing the ball, and assisting Davis on a breakaway dunk—swung momentum back to the Lakers. 

Los Angeles outscored San Antonio 34-30 in the third quarter, extending their lead to 92-77 entering the fourth, where James sealed the win with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting. Following the Lakers' blowout victory tonight, we provide a grade for every player who made the court. 

Anthony Davis: A

Stats: 19 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 2 fouls, 1 turnover, 8-14 FG, 0-2 3PT FG, 3-3 FT, 35 mins

Perrenial MVP candidate Anthony Davis showcased his dominance in the paint, scoring 19 points and grabbing 14 rebounds while adding 7 assists. His efficient 8-of-14 shooting and leadership on both ends were instrumental in controlling the game. Despite not recording any blocks, his defensive presence disrupted San Antonio’s interior offense. No doubt, Davis won the battle against Wembanyama tonight and it came down to all-around play more than purely offense. 

LeBron James: B+

Stats: 16 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 fouls, 5 turnovers, 8-18 FG, 0-2 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 33 mins

LeBron delivered a triple-double with 16 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds, proving his ability to impact all facets of the game. However, his 5 turnovers and below-average shooting (8-of-18) slightly dampened an otherwise solid performance. His strong fourth quarter helped secure the win, but we can't give him higher than a B+ considering his inefficiencies in some areas. 

Dalton Knecht: B+

20 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 0 blocks, 2 fouls, 1 turnover, 8-15 FG, 4-10 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 31 mins

The rookie impressed again with 20 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 4-of-10 from deep. Knecht’s crucial plays in the third quarter swung the momentum back to the Lakers when the Spurs were threatening. His confidence and energy were invaluable in the victory, and Lakers fans should be very grateful they were able to nab Knecht at No. 17 overall in the 2024 Draft.

Rui Hachimura: B+

16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 1 block, 3 fouls, 0 turnovers, 5-9 FG, 2-4 3PT FG, 4-4 FT, 26 mins

Rui Hachimura provided a reliable scoring punch off the bench with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting. His ability to draw fouls and convert from the line (4-of-4) added to his efficiency. While his rebounding and defensive contributions were modest, his scoring was impactful and his presence was felt enough to warrant a B grade. 

D'Angelo Russell: B+

Stats: 17 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 2 fouls, 0 turnovers, 7-11 FG, 3-6 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 26 mins

D'Angelo Russell had a solid night with 17 points and 5 assists, shooting 7-of-11 from the field. He avoided turnovers and made timely shots to keep the Spurs at bay. Although his overall impact was limited, his efficiency was a highlight and he had a very solid role in making sure the Lakers piled pressure on the Spurs tonight. 

Austin Reaves: B

13 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 3 turnovers, 5-11 FG, 3-6 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 31 mins

Austin Reaves scored 13 points, hitting 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, but his 3 turnovers and quiet contributions outside scoring kept him from earning a higher grade. His huge three-pointer over Wembanyama to end the first half was a pivotal moment in the game and basically ensured the momentum was in the Lakers' favor which is why he earns a B grade. 

Cam Reddish: C

Stats: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 17 mins

Cam Reddish struggled offensively, going scoreless in 17 minutes and contributing just 1 assist and 1 steal. His lack of impact on both ends made for a forgettable outing, but the Lakers got the victory and that will be the most important thing for Reddish tonight. 

Maxwell Lewis: N/A

Stats: 0 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 fouls, 0 turnovers, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 3 mins

Maxwell Lewis played only 3 minutes, grabbing 1 rebound and missing his lone shot attempt. Not enough time on the court to warrant a grade.

Armel Traore: N/A

Stats: 2 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 0 fouls, 0 turnovers, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 3 mins

Traore scored 2 points in his 3 minutes of action, converting his only field goal attempt. His limited minutes prevent a full assessment.

Christian Koloko: N/A

Stats: 4 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 2 fouls, 0 turnovers, 2-3 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 8 mins

Koloko chipped in 4 points and 1 rebound in 8 minutes, making the most of his brief opportunity. His energy and efficiency (2-of-3 FG) were notable, but his limited role doesn’t allow for a full grade.

Gabe Vincent: N/A

0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 0 turnovers, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 6 mins

Gabe Vincent was a non-factor in 6 minutes of play, failing to record any stats aside from a personal foul. However, he also played under 10 minutes and it would not be fair to give him a grade.