Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

'Window Has Basically Closed': NBA Analyst Drops Brutal Verdict on Lakers’ Championship Contention

The unraveling of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 25/26 season is becoming more apparent with each passing game. The Purple and Gold started the year as one of the surprise contenders in the West.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Cooper Flagg turns heads with Luka Doncic accomplishment

Losing Luka Doncic still stings for Dallas Mavericks fans, but Cooper Flagg is helping them move on from the shocking February trade that sent the Slovenian superstar to the Los Angeles Lakers. Although wins have been hard to come by for the Mavs so far in the 2025-26 NBA season, that hasn’t stopped Flagg from shining on the court.

NBA News / Yardbarker / December 27

Lakers have 'recalibration and reconnection' meeting after having effort called out

Even though the Los Angeles Lakers still have the fourth-best record in the Western Conference, things are not going smoothly at the moment.

JJ Redick goes off on Lakers players after Christmas Day loss

Lakers' Austin Reaves out at least four weeks due to calf injury

Noteworthy update emerges about James Harden’s future

Kawhi Leonard is on pace to set a notable single-season NBA record

Brook Lopez matches Stephen Curry three-point record

San Antonio Spurs News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NBA Christmas Day 40-point games' quiz

In NBA history, a player has scored 40 or more points on Christmas Day on 30 occasions. How many of those can you name in five minutes?

The 'NBA all-time scoring leaders' quiz

The 'Most 40-point games in NBA history' quiz

The 'NBA playoff point-per-game leaders' quiz

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / December 27

Lakers Injury Report: Jaxson Hayes Doubtful, Gabe Vincent Out Vs. Kings

The Los Angeles Lakers released their injury report for Sunday night’s game against the Sacramento Kings and Gabe Vincent (lumbar back strain) remains out while Jaxson Hayes (left ankle soreness) is doubtful and Drew Timme (concussion protocol) is questionable.

NBA News / Yardbarker

Which NBA teams have the best Christmas Day records?

Christmas and the NBA go hand-in-hand. The day serves for the top hoops league in the world, like Thanksgiving for the NFL. However, while the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are perpetual Thanksgiving participants, the NBA has mixed up the matchups and the teams throughout the years.

Chris Paul News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / December 27

Lakers Nearing Final Decision on Adding Chris Paul This Year

The Los Angeles Lakers appear to have made up their mind about adding former 12-time All-Star Chris Paul to their roster this season. The 6-foot point guard, 40, has been sent away by his current club, the LA Clippers, after venting his frustrations about the team's lackadaisical effort.

J.J. Redick News / Lakers Nation / December 27

JJ Redick Feeling ‘Positive’ After Practice & Film Session

The Los Angeles Lakers have hit a rough patch of their season, dropping three straight games for the first time with all coming in blowout fashion. Their most recent loss was to the Houston Rockets on Christmas Day and afterwards, head coach JJ Redick was highly critical of the team’s effort and care-factor.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Larry Brown Sports / December 27

Dwyane Wade had the perfect joke about LeBron James’ response to JJ Redick

Dwyane Wade does not think LeBron James is sweating too much after coach JJ Redick called out the Los Angeles Lakers. Wade was part of Amazon Prime’s NBA coverage on Friday, and the panel discussed how the Lakers might react to the critical comments Redick made publicly following Thursday’s loss.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Athlon Sports / December 27

Lakers Advised on Concerning LeBron James, Luka Doncic Details

Former NBA coach Sam Mitchell raised concerns about the Los Angeles Lakers during a SiriusXM NBA Radio segment. Speaking with Gerald Brown, Mitchell explained why he questions the fit of the Lakers’ main stars, Luka Doncic and LeBron James.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'NBA Christmas Day triple-doubles' quiz

The 'NFL rookie QBs to win a playoff game' quiz

The 'NBA Christmas Day 40-point games' quiz

The 'Most 3-passing, 1-rushing TD games' quiz

NBA News / EssentiallySports / December 27

Is Chris Paul Signing With the Lakers? Front Office Makes Final Decision on Veteran Amid Austin Reaves Injury

The LA Clippers abruptly waived Chris Paul on December 3. Since then, the veteran point guard has been wandering around the league without a jersey to put on.

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 27

Bobby Marks says quiet part out loud about Lakers’ championship chances

As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night, the conversation around the franchise has shifted from seeding and momentum to long-term reality.

Jake Laravia News / Silver Screen & Roll / December 27

Jake LaRavia says there’s a ‘disconnect’ among Lakers

Earlier this season, the vibes were incredible for the Lakers. Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić were alternating 40-point games, role players were showing up nightly and wins were stacking up quickly.

Los Angeles Lakers News / HITC / December 27

NBA insider gives ‘no chance’ verdict on LA Lakers and suggests only one way out

The Los Angeles Lakers are ending the year in a bit of a slump. The Los Angeles Lakers closed out Christmas Day with more questions than answers after suffering a heavy 119–96 loss to the Houston Rockets, spoiling Luka Dončić’s return from injury.

Los Angeles Lakers News / EssentiallySports / December 27

LeBron James’ Inner Circle Reveals Lakers Star ‘Not Worried’ About JJ Redick’s Criticism

Christmas turned cold in Los Angeles. The Houston Rockets embarrassed the Lakers 119-96, handing them their third loss in four games. But the real noise came after the buzzer.

Jarred Vanderbilt News / Lakers Nation / December 27

Jarred Vanderbilt Looking To Provide Outlet For Lakers Stars With Improved 3-Point Shooting

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt has long been one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. The energy and fight that he plays with any time he is on the court is infectious and he has been known to make life tough for some of the best players the league has to offer.

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA Analysis Network / December 27

The Luka Doncic reason why LA Lakers need to fire Rob Pelinka

There’s a need for improvement for the Los Angeles Lakers this season. For what it’s worth, the Los Angeles Lakers were off to a great start during the 2025-26 NBA season.

Austin Reaves News / EssentiallySports / December 27

Lakers Receive Herb Jones Trade Update After Austin Reaves’ Injury News

The Lakers are in a free fall. They’ve lost three straight by 15+ points, and after the Rockets blew them out 119-96 on Christmas Day, the calls for change have grown louder, even by their own head coach.

Jarred Vanderbilt News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 27

Jarred Vanderbilt’s brutally honest assessment of Lakers’ struggles

LOS ANGELES – The recent struggles for the Los Angeles Lakers continued following their 119-96 loss to the Houston Rockets on Christmas. The Lakers losing streak hit three games, and head coach JJ Redick was unable to hide his frustrations amid repeated effort and execution issues.