Yardbarker
Report: Luka Doncic to return to L.A. Friday; game status unknown

Report: Luka Doncic to return to L.A. Friday; game status unknown

Lakers star Luka Doncic is expected to return to Los Angeles on Friday after receiving specialized treatment for his Grade 2 left hamstring strain in Europe, ESPN reported Monday, though when he will return to game action remains unknown.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / April 13
Nick Smith Jr. Reacts To New Contract With Lakers

Nick Smith Jr. Reacts To New Contract With Lakers

With the regular season coming to an end, the Los Angeles Lakers decided to make one final roster move. The team released Kobe Bufkin, opening up a roster spot for the playoffs and to fill that spot, they converted the two-way contract of Nick Smith Jr.

Kobe Bryant News / Sneakers on SI / April 13

Kobe Bryant's Game-Worn Air Jordans Hit Auction Block

Today marks ten years since Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant's final NBA game. His 60-point performance was punctuated by a dual sneaker release, which Nike reissued in limited numbers earlier today.

Payton Pritchard News / Yardbarker Quizzes
The 'Five 3's off the bench games' quiz

The 'Five 3's off the bench games' quiz

How many of the NBA players to make at least five three-pointers off the bench at least 20 times in their career can you name in five minutes?

The '60-point NBA games' quiz
The 'Single playoff-points leaders' quiz
The 'Active 30-point NBA games leaders' quiz
NBA News / Yardbarker
The 25 greatest playoff games in NBA history

The 25 greatest playoff games in NBA history

In the NBA, it's all about showing up and showing out in the posteason. With that in mind, here are the 25 greatest NBA playoff games of all time. 

Jake Laravia News / Lakers Nation / April 13
Jake LaRavia Proud Of Playing All 82 Games

Jake LaRavia Proud Of Playing All 82 Games

The Los Angeles Lakers have dealt with a ton of injuries throughout the 2025-26 season, forcing head coach JJ Redick to constantly change his lineups and rotations.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Silver Screen & Roll / April 13

Marcus Smart’s playmaking will be integral to Lakers postseason hopes

In their final regular season game, the Lakers routed a tanking Utah Jazz team for their 53rd win, the most for the franchise since 2010-11. All the machinations of surviving a grueling 82 games are over and the brain trust now shifts its focus towards the playoffs.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Yardbarker / April 13
Lakers get crucial Doncic, Reaves injury updates ahead of playoffs

Lakers get crucial Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves injury updates ahead of playoffs

ESPN insider Shams Charania recently revealed more info on their statuses.

Lakers empty the bench in lopsided win over lowly Jazz
Jimmy Butler announces injury status ahead of Warriors’ play-in game
Grizzlies' Ja Morant makes exit interview decision after regular season
Jason Kidd wants Cooper Flagg to do just one thing after rookie season
Clippers make NBA history with remarkable turnaround
Mike Breen slams NBA’s ‘poor decision’ for first round of playoffs
Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / April 13
Latest Updates On Luka Doncic & Austin Reaves Going Into Playoffs

Latest Updates On Luka Doncic & Austin Reaves Going Into Playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers have a very tall task in front of them as the NBA playoffs are set to begin. The team is without their two leading scorers in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves as they prepare to take on the Houston Rockets in the first round.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Yardbarker
The 25 defining moments of LeBron James' career

The 25 defining moments of LeBron James' career

LeBron's career can't go on forever, can it? If it were to end tomorrow, it would be the greatest run of sustained excellence the league has ever seen.

Luka Doncic News / Lakers Nation / April 13
Lakers star Luka Doncic wins 2025-26 NBA scoring title

Lakers star Luka Doncic wins 2025-26 NBA scoring title

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic won the NBA scoring title for the 2025-26 season, averaging 33.5 points in 64 games. He finished more than two points ahead of second place as Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.1, while Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards came in third at 28.8.

  Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!
The 'Five 3's off the bench games' quiz
 The 'Five 3's off the bench games' quiz
The 'Masters runners-up since 2000' quiz
 The 'Masters runners-up since 2000' quiz
The 'NBA top-seed top-scorers' quiz
 The 'NBA top-seed top-scorers' quiz
The 'Three blocks-per-game NBA seasons' quiz
 The 'Three blocks-per-game NBA seasons' quiz
Los Angeles Lakers News / Larry Brown Sports / April 13
Stephen A. Smith makes brutal prediction about Lakers’ playoff chances

Stephen A. Smith makes brutal prediction about Lakers’ playoff chances

The NBA Playoff field is set, and LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers face Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets in the first round. Unfortunately for LA, Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic are out with injuries, making the playoff path even more difficult.

J.J. Redick News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / April 13
Lakers JJ Redick Opens Up About Facing Rockets Amid Injury Concerns

Lakers JJ Redick Opens Up About Facing Rockets Amid Injury Concerns

The Los Angeles Lakers are heading into the 2026 NBA Playoffs as the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, and the timing could not be more complicated.

LeBron James News / Total Pro Sports / April 13
LeBron James Must Tap Into Legendary Version of Himself to Carry Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James Must Tap Into Legendary Version of Himself to Carry Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up their 2025-26 regular season, crushing the Utah Jazz 131-107 and sealing the 4th seed. But it’s not all smooth sailing; they’ll face the Houston Rockets in the first round, and the pressure is on superstar LeBron James.

NBA News / EasySportz / April 13
Lakers vs Rockets First-Round Series Preview and Prediction

Lakers vs Rockets First-Round Series Preview and Prediction

The Western Conference first round delivers one of the most compelling matchups of the 2026 NBA Playoffs as the No. 4 seed Los Angeles Lakers take on the No.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Silver Screen & Roll / April 13

The Lakers are the underdogs of the playoffs

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Deandre Ayton News / Total Pro Sports / April 13
Deandre Ayton Left Stunned After Reporter Spoils Playoff Matchup Surprise Mid-Interview

Deandre Ayton Left Stunned After Reporter Spoils Playoff Matchup Surprise Mid-Interview

The Los Angeles Lakers might be through to the postseason. But going in without two of their frontline stars, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, seems like a ‘shot to the heart’ as per LeBron James.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Sneakers on SI / April 13
Nike Honors Bronny James With Heartfelt New Shoes

Nike Honors Bronny James With Heartfelt New Shoes

The Los Angeles Lakers dismantled the Utah Jazz 131-107 on Sunday night. Not only did Lakers guard Bronny James provide 11 points and four assists off the bench, but he also received another high honor from Nike.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / April 13
Lakers Playoff Schedule: Dates, Times, Opponents, TV Channel

Lakers Playoff Schedule: Dates, Times, Opponents, TV Channel

The Los Angeles Lakers clinched the fourth seed in the Western Conference, wrapping up the Pacific Division title along the way. There was a real chance at third, but Denver held on, and now LeBron James and the Lakers head into the postseason carrying more weight than just a tough bracket.

Los Angeles Lakers News / EssentiallySports / April 13
'Gives Way More Minutes to Bronny': JJ Redick Under Fire as Dalton Knecht Goes Off vs Jazz

'Gives Way More Minutes to Bronny': JJ Redick Under Fire as Dalton Knecht Goes Off vs Jazz

One Lakers youngster with a huge chip on his shoulder proved that he either has something against the Utah Jazz or JJ Redick. Simply because he made a very big point today.

Deandre Ayton News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 13
Deandre Ayton was clueless about Lakers’ first-round opponent in playoffs

Deandre Ayton was clueless about Lakers’ first-round opponent in playoffs

The Los Angeles Lakers have a tough task ahead as they will go up against the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. The Lakers will be severely handicapped, as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are expected to sit out the series due to a hamstring injury and an oblique injury, respectively.

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 12
Exclusive: How Nick Smith Jr. has navigated challenging Lakers season

Exclusive: How Nick Smith Jr. has navigated challenging Lakers season

When the Los Angeles Lakers signed Nick Smith Jr. to a two-way contract before the start of the season, he was walking into a situation unfamiliar to him.

NBA News / Field Level Media / April 12
Lakers empty the bench in lopsided win over lowly Jazz

Lakers empty the bench in lopsided win over lowly Jazz

Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton each posted 22-point, 10-rebound double-doubles on Sunday to help the Los Angeles Lakers earn a 131-107 victory over the visiting Utah Jazz in the regular-season finale.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Larry Brown Sports / April 13
Kenyon Martin takes a shot at the Lakers and their ‘4 white boys’

Kenyon Martin takes a shot at the Lakers and their ‘4 white boys’

Kenyon Martin is not a believer in the Los Angeles Lakers heading into the playoffs. The retired former NBA All-Star Martin made waves this week with his comments about the Lakers on Gilbert Arenas’ “Gil’s Arena” show.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Hoops Wire / April 12
Lakers converting Nick Smith Jr. to standard contract

Lakers converting Nick Smith Jr. to standard contract

The Lakers are promoting guard Nick Smith Jr. from his two-way deal to a standard NBA contract, his agent told Shams Charania of ESPN. Smith will receive a two-year deal, giving Los Angeles another depth option heading into the playoffs.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Yardbarker / April 11
Lakers' LeBron James addresses connection with Luke Kennard

'Two cerebral basketball players': Lakers' LeBron James addresses connection with Luke Kennard

The real story centered on the connection between James and Kennard, a pairing that continues to develop as the Lakers navigate through roster limitations.

LeBron James reaches 12K assists as Lakers crush Suns
Will Lakers add to their roster ahead of the playoffs?
LeBron James makes NBA history with son Bronny in Lakers' win
The 'Season triple-double record by team' quiz
Los Angeles Lakers News / Yardbarker / April 10
Will Lakers add to their roster ahead of the playoffs?

Will Lakers add to their roster ahead of the playoffs?

With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves dealing with injuries late in the season, Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka will have to get creative.

Lakers looking up ahead of meeting vs. Suns
LeBron James makes NBA history with son Bronny in Lakers' win
LeBron James dazzles in Lakers' win over Warriors
The 'Season triple-double record by team' quiz

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!