Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Marcus Smart fined $35,000 by the NBA

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart was hit with a $35,000 fine by the NBA for his actions toward referees during Thursday’s game. Smart was fined for making an “obscene gesture” at halftime of Thursday’s game against the Utah Jazz, the league said in a statement.

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Rui Hachimura Ruled Out Vs. Clippers

The Los Angeles Lakers released an update to their injury report for Saturday night’s game against the L.A. Clippers, with Rui Hachimura being downgraded to out with right groin soreness.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / December 20

JJ Redick: Pleased With Luka Doncic & LeBron James’ Willingness To Play Off Ball

When Luka Doncic arrived to the Los Angeles Lakers, there were questions about how he would fit alongside LeBron James and Austin Reaves considering all three of them having the ability to orchestrate an offense.

Cooper Flagg News / Yardbarker Quizzes

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How many of the NBA players to score at least 40 points in a game before turning 21 years old can you name in six minutes?

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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.

Marcus Smart News / Lakers Nation / December 20

Marcus Smart Fined For Making Obscene Gesture At Official

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart has been fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture towards a game official, it was announced by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations with the NBA.

Marcus Smart News / Hoops Rumors / December 20

Lakers’ Marcus Smart Fined $35K By NBA

Lakers guard Marcus Smart has been fined $35K for “making an obscene gesture toward a game official,” the NBA announced on Saturday (via Twitter). Smart was penalized for giving the middle finger to the refs at halftime during Thursday’s win in Utah, tweets Dan Woike of The Athletic.

Kobe Bryant News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / December 20

Controversial Former Kobe Bryant-Era Lakers Coach Nominated for Basketball Hall of Fame

Former Los Angeles Lakers coach Mark D'Antoni has been nominated for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for the 2026 class. D'Antoni is a new candidate for the Hall of Fame, joining a long list of basketball's greatest teams, coaches and players that are eligible for induction.

Luka Doncic News / Lakers Nation / December 20

Luka Doncic Wanted To Provide For Lakers Organization With E-Bike Gift

Luka Doncic’s first full season with the Los Angeles Lakers has been a success thus far as the team has been one of the best in a loaded Western Conference.

NBA News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / December 20

3 Lakers Starters Could Miss Battle of LA vs Clippers

The Los Angeles Lakers could be missing as many as three of head coach JJ Redick's preferred starting five players heading into their Saturday clash against their crosstown rivals, the LA Clippers.

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 20

Rich Paul breaks down why LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony was never a rivalry

Rich Paul said the long-debated idea of a rivalry between Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony never fully materialized, citing league circumstances rather than individual competition.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / December 20

LeBron James Not Surprised By Luka Doncic’s 45-Point Triple-Double Against Jazz

The Los Angeles Lakers are always about their stars and Luka Doncic is next in line to carry on that tradition. After what appeared to be an uncertain future last year, Doncic fell into their lap, thanks to a stunning trade to the Dallas Mavericks.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / December 20

Marcus Smart Discusses Recent 3-Point Shooting Surge

The Los Angeles Lakers offense was electric on Thursday night against the Utah Jazz. They scored 143 points — their highest point total of the season — behind a 45-point triple-double from Luka Doncic and 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds from LeBron James.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Fadeaway World / December 20

Rich Paul Claims LeBron James And Carmelo Anthony Were Never True Rivals

Rich Paul pushed back on one of the NBA’s longest-running debates while speaking on the Game Over podcast, offering a blunt assessment of LeBron James’ supposed rivalry with Carmelo Anthony.

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Los Angeles Lakers News / EssentiallySports / December 20

Lakers Make Bronny James Announcement Ahead of Clippers Game

The Los Angeles Lakers just got scarcer. So there’d be an urgency to bring in backups. But not today. After a hard-fought win against the Jazz yesterday, the team is going into tomorrow’s game against the LA Clippers even more short-staffed.

NBA News / Field Level Media / December 19

Lakers look to remain on roll vs. struggling rival Clippers

The Los Angeles Lakers are feeling merry about the road ahead, while the Los Angeles Clippers have been weighed down with the holiday blues as the cross-town rivals get set to meet in a Clippers home game Saturday at Inglewood, Calif.

Rui Hachimura News / Athlon Sports / December 19

Lakers Announce Concerning Rui Hachimura News Before Clippers Game

The Los Angeles Lakers could be down another starter on Saturday when they face the Los Angeles Clippers. This is after Rui Hachimura popped up on the injury report ahead of the rivalry showdown at Intuit Dome against a 6-21 Clippers side.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / December 19

Lakers Injury Report: Austin Reaves & Deandre Ayton Out, Rui Hachimura Questionable Vs. Clippers

The Los Angeles Lakers released their injury report for Saturday’s road game against the L.A. Clippers and Deandre Ayton (left elbow soreness), Austin Reaves (left calf strain) and Gabe Vincent (low back soreness) remain out while Rui Hachimura (right groin soreness) is questionable.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / December 19

Lakers Reportedly 'Love' All-Defensive Forward Amid Trade Buzz

The Los Angeles Lakers have a well-documented problem on defense. It's gotten so bad, that the team's head coach, JJ Redick, has used choice words to describe his team's effort on the defensive end of the court.

Los Angeles Lakers News / A to Z Sports / December 19

Former Tennessee Vols star Dalton Knecht may be on LeBron James' bad side now and it's not even his fault

Former Tennessee Vols standout Dalton Knecht may be on LeBron James' bad side now. And it has nothing do to with anything Knecht did. Knecht, who is in his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers, was recently sent to the G League after essentially falling out of the rotation in LA.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Yardbarker / December 19

LeBron James has fans concerned with his 'YouTube golf' quip

James has proven this season that he is still capable of playing at a high level, but many fans are concerned that the Los Angeles Lakers star's motivation is starting to wane.

Brian Windhorst suggests only two teams are in play for LeBron James

Unconventional Lakers are hoping offense wins championships

Luka Doncic's 45-point triple-double carries Lakers past Jazz

Puka Nacua's brother arrested for allegedly stealing Lakers rookie's car

Most famous NBA quotes of all time

NBA News / Yardbarker / December 19

Lakers hoping offense wins championships

The conventional wisdom is that defense wins championships. The Lakers are hoping offense wins championships, too.

Luka Doncic's 45-point triple-double carries Lakers past Jazz

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Gabe Vincent News / Hoops Wire / December 18

Lakers’ Gabe Vincent expected to miss at least one week

The Lakers will be without Gabe Vincent again, and yes, it is starting to feel familiar. Los Angeles announced that Vincent has been diagnosed with lower back tightness and will be reevaluated in roughly one week, as relayed by Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times.