Player Grades: Lakers vs. Pistons

One trait JJ Redick teams will have is that they play hard.

Redick had a revelation of sorts early in his coaching career that just trying hard was enough to mask over flaws on most nights in the regular season. From that point on, the Lakers have, for the most part, tried hard.

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With previous rosters, playing hard looked different because of a lack of energy or athleticism across the board. On a younger, more athletic, more tenacious team like this, playing hard looks like a team without their superstar jumping all over the Pistons on the road in the first quarter.

It’s quite the encouraging trait to have.

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

Matisse Thybulle

28 minutes, 4 points, 2 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 fouls, 2-5 FG, +0

This is Thybulle’s third consecutive subpar offensive game. He’s hit just one of his last nine threes in the span. Unironically, no longer shooting no-dip threes might have messed with his timing. I don’t think his starting spot is in jeopardy yet, but there are plenty of options behind him.

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Grade: C-

Jake LaRavia

29 minutes, 5 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 fouls, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 3-4 FT, +3

An interesting use of LaRavia in this game as he was more of a ballhandler with the Lakers down Luka Dončić. I had hoped that experiment stayed in the 2025-26 season, but it wasn’t disastrous on Sunday.

Grade: B

Walker Kessler

28 minutes, 12 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 3 blocks, 3 fouls, 4 turnovers, 5-10 FG, 2-3 FT, +5

Kessler’s ability to stuff the stat sheet is going to make him a sneaky 5×5 candidate. Seven of his 16 rebounds were on the offensive glass and each one felt like it led directly to another basket. A huge showing from him.

Grade: A

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Quentin Grimes

31 minutes, 12 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 4-12 FG, 2-5 3PT, 2-4 FT +1

Almost all of Grimes’ production came in the first quarter, but it was all very useful. He hit four of his first five shots and was a necessary ballhandler to alleviate some of the pressure…

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Publish date : 2026-11-09 03:35:00

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