LeBron James
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LeBron James during a game against the Utah Jazz in November 2025
The Los Angeles Lakers have spent much of the season searching for stability, but a recent wave of injuries has unexpectedly created an opening for a new contributor to take on a significant role.
With Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Gabe Vincent all sidelined, Jake LaRavia has stepped into an expanded role, starting the Lakers’ last three games and providing a much-needed boost on both ends of the floor.
Most recently, with back-to-back wins against his former team, the Memphis Grizzlies, LaRavia delivered 21 points and 26 points in those contests, playing a central role in both victories and helping steady a lineup forced to adjust on the fly.
LaRavia’s surge has not only helped stabilize the Lakers during a difficult period, but it has also reshaped the conversation around depth and rotation flexibility moving forward.
LeBron James Praises LaRavia’s Confidence and Readiness
LaRavia has shot 17-of-28 over the two game stretch, including 7-of-16 from three point range. His impact has extended beyond scoring, highlighted by 14 rebounds, six on the offensive glass, and three steals while logging 37 and 34 minutes in those outings.
In Sunday night’s win, he finished as a plus-15, showing his influence even beyond the box score.
“I think I’m just trusting the work that I’ve been putting in, recently,” LaRavia said postgame. “[I’m] very comfortable. Kind of just new stepping stones each game, growing in the way that I’m playing offensively.”
“Obviously, with AR out, this is one of those hacks I was talking about where I am able to do this. It’s been good.”
His emergence has not gone unnoticed by LeBron James, who pointed to LaRavia’s confidence and willingness to step up when the team needed it most.
“We need his ability to score in bunches at times, obviously, with AR and Rui, Gabe out, that’s a lot of points,” James said. “To have that step up from Jake, we’ve needed it. He’s just playing with a lot of confidence and we need him to continue that.”
Injuries have forced head coach JJ Redick to shuffle lineups repeatedly, disrupting continuity. With multiple rotation players unavailable, the Lakers needed someone to fill gaps on both ends of the floor, and LaRavia has answered that call.
LaRavia Earning Trust Within Redick’s System
Through 32 games this season, LaRavia is averaging 9.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 45.9% from the field.
Redick has consistently emphasized the importance of decisiveness and role clarity, and LaRavia has quickly earned trust within that framework.
“I told him in front of the group after the game, particularly in that first half, his aggressiveness and confidence was really good for us,” Redick said. “The thing that we’ve tried to really instill and coach him on all season is 0.5 decision-making, being catch-and-shoot ready.
“If you are attacking a closeout and you have an advantage, maintain the advantage. Both of those things require confidence and requires aggressiveness. Just a fantastic game from him. Another good game from him defensively as well with deflections and being disruptive.”
Rather than dominating the ball, LaRavia has thrived by cutting, spacing the floor, rebounding, and defending multiple positions, exactly the type of connective play the Lakers have lacked during their injury stretch.
Defensive issues have plagued Los Angeles all season. Over the past 15 games, the Lakers rank second worst in defensive rating league-wide at 121.5, ahead of only the Utah Jazz.
In a small but notable sample, that figure has improved to 23rd at 119.4 with LaRavia in the starting lineup over the past three games.
While the eventual return of Reaves, Hachimura, and Vincent will reshape the rotation, LaRavia’s recent play has complicated those decisions. His performance suggests he has earned a continued role even once the roster is fully healthy.