Player Grades: Lakers vs. Suns

How many “worst losses of the season” in a row could the Lakers string together in the coming week, because it seems like they’re trying to do as much.

After a lifeless loss to the Celtics and handing a game away to the Magic, the Lakers went to Phoenix against an undermanned Suns team and blew a double-digit second half lead to lose a third straight. When could this streak end? If they lose to a Steph-, Jimmy-, Kristaps- and, potentially, Draymond-less Warriors team on Saturday, that would be worse.

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They then host the tanking Kings and Pelicans in the next two games. We could only be halfway through an impressive run, guys!

So, let’s dive into the loss. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.

Marcus Smart

31 minutes, 13 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 3 fouls, 4-8 FG, 2-5 3PT, 3-4 FT, -3

We were long overdue for a good Marcus game, and he delivered in a couple of ways. He knocked down a couple of important shots in the fourth, but his biggest play was a block at the rim that somehow didn’t count in the box score.

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Grade: B+

LeBron James

35 minutes, 15 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 turnover, 7-16 FG, 0-3 3PT, 1-2 FT, +5

These are symptoms of bigger issues offensively, but LeBron has been a bystander more often than not of late. It doesn’t help that his 3-point shot has absolutely cratered this year.

Most of his baskets in this one came in the third quarter when he punished an undersized Suns team with simple baskets at the rim. Those were nice, but he didn’t do much else.

Grade: D

Deandre Ayton

23 minutes, 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 foul, 1-3 FG, -24

Well, how did Ayton respond to some jokes and criticism that came out after the article from today? With one of his worst games of the season.

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He made countless defensive mistakes by not getting out on shooters early enough on screens, resulting in one flagrant foul and six-point Suns possession.

Ironically, his only basket was a pretty Capela-esque lob.

Grade: F

Austin Reaves

36 minutes, 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2…

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Publish date : 2026-02-27 06:22:00

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