Los Angeles Lakers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Is Luka Doncic Hurt? Insider Drops Hint on Health Situation During Lakers-Pistons

It wasn’t a very happy birthday for LeBron James at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday. The Detroit Pistons made sure to snatch the win, 128-106, from the Los Angeles Lakers.

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'Protect Your Family': LeBron James Reveals What Message He’d Give His 18-YO Self

After getting serenaded by the whole arena and a heavy loss on his birthday, LeBron James had the time to reflect on half his life. From being the self-ordained Chosen One in 2003 to starting his 23rd season, James and his loved ones have been on a journey full of highs and lows.

J.J. Redick News / EssentiallySports / December 31

31 Games In, JJ Redick Admits He Doesn’t Know Lakers Identity Yet

It looks like JJ Redick’s 2026 resolution is the blunt truth. He took the headstart on it from Christmas. The Lakers have lost four of their last five games, and things just aren’t looking good.

NBA News / EssentiallySports / December 31

NBA Hot Takes for 2026 ft. Lakers’ and Celtics’ Playoffs Chances

Just before this season, LeBron James called the hot culture take tiring. No doubt those statements are often exaggerated. That’s why looking back at those takes makes it more interesting.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NBA all-time scoring leaders' quiz

How many of the NBA's top 30 career scorers can you name in five minutes?

The 'Multi-time NBA MVPs' quiz

The 'NBA Christmas Day triple-doubles' quiz

The '60-point NBA games' quiz

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest rivalries in NBA history

Part of what makes the NBA, or any pro sports league, so compelling to watch is the narratives, especially those centered on rivalries. Throughout the decades, the NBA has fostered a number of rivalries, some long-lasting and others short but sweet.

NBA News / Silver Screen & Roll / December 31

Player Grades: Lakers vs. Pistons

Well, if we’ve learned anything over the last two weeks, it’s that the Lakers absolutely do not have it. They have had different lineups, different rotations, different teams and different settings.

NBA News / Field Level Media / December 31

Lakers come up short vs. Pistons on LeBron James' 41st birthday

Cade Cunningham scored 27 points and dished out 11 assists as the visiting Detroit Pistons earned a 128-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers to spoil LeBron James' 41st birthday.

NBA News / Silver Screen & Roll / December 31

Lakers embarrassed yet again in blowout loss to Pistons

After a competitive game through the first three quarters, the Lakers completely let go of the rope in the fourth quarter. Rightfully, they were blown out by the Pistons, losing 128-106.

Luka Doncic News / NBA Analysis Network / December 31

3 lessons from LA Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons: LeBron’s birthday spoiled, Luka Doncic injury scare

The Los Angeles Lakers lost a hard-fought game against the Detroit Pistons, and it was due to their lack of defense on the night The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Detroit Pistons in what was an intense game between the two sides.

NBA News / Lakers Nation / December 31

Lakers Close Out 2025 With Blowout Loss To Pistons

Looking to build off their win over the Sacramento Kings, the Los Angeles Lakers closed out the calendar year by hosting the Detroit Pistons, the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Larry Brown Sports / December 31

Lakers forward had one of the most painful halves of the season

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia was dealt a double dose of pain in his team’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif.

NBA News / EssentiallySports / December 31

Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons Player Stats, Box Score and Game Recap (Dec 30) – 2025–26 NBA Season

After losing to the other LA team, the Detroit Pistons are in Crypto.com Arena hoping to not start a second losing skid this season. They’re hosted by a reworked, experimental Lakers trying out new strategies.

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

The 'Top-50 all-time NFL rushers' quiz

The 'Most NFL pass completions' quiz

The 'NBA Christmas Day triple-doubles' quiz

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

LeBron James News / Larry Brown Sports / December 31

Lakers crowd serenaded LeBron James with fitting song during his birthday chalk toss

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James got more than just the “Happy Birthday” song on Tuesday during his birthday battle against the Detroit Pistons. As he warmed up for his iconic chalk toss, James got serenaded with “You Are My Sunshine” by the capacity crowd at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif.

J.J. Redick News / Hardwood Heroics / December 31

JJ Redick Says Lakers Must Battle and Overpower Pistons’ Physical Onslaught :'A Great Test for Our Group'

The Los Angeles Lakers are set to face the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday before the end of 2025. The Pistons are a challenging team for the Lakers, since they are the top team in the Eastern Conference.

Los Angeles Lakers News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 30

LeBron James gets ‘incredible’ take from Nick Smith Jr. on 41st birthday

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James celebrated his birthday on Tuesday while he’s in the midst of a never-before-done 23rd season in the NBA. James has a couple of teammates on the Lakers who were barely born during his rookie season in the league.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Athlon Sports / December 30

Lakers Coach Announces Bad News on Tuesday

JJ Redick and the Los Angeles Lakers are back in action on Tuesday for their final game of the calendar year. They get to host the 24-8 Detroit Pistons at Crypto.com Arena as the Lakers battle the best team in the Eastern Conference at the moment.

Austin Reaves News / NBA on ClutchPoints / December 30

Lakers star Austin Reaves’ expected opt-out could open door to deadline trade decision

Austin Reaves’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers might be in question as he could test free agency for a big contract in the 2026 offseason. Which paves the way for plenty of scenarios of interactions with multiple teams.

Luka Doncic News / Lakers Nation / December 30

Luka Doncic Looking To Get Teammates Involved At Start Of Games

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has typically set the tone at the start of games as he is leading the league in first-quarter scoring by a wide margin at 12.0 points per game.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / December 30

Jarred Vanderbilt Believes LeBron James’ IQ Separates Him From Peers

At 41 years old, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is doing things no other player in NBA history has ever done. James may be declining from an athleticism standpoint, but he remains as effective as ever thanks to his ability to play multiple roles.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Lakers Nation / December 30

JJ Redick Wants Nick Smith Jr. To Be Aggressive

Luka Doncic led the way and LeBron James had another strong outing, but it was two-way contract player Nick Smith Jr. who gave the Los Angeles Lakers an extra boost in their win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night to snap their three-game losing streak.

Los Angeles Lakers News / EssentiallySports / December 30

Is Shaquille O’Neal Dating Natalie Nunn? Did the Lakers Legend Really Gift Her a Car?

Rumor mills are running overtime. And this time it’s the Los Angeles Lakers legend, Shaquille O’Neal, who has fallen under its radar. The world knows Shaq for many reasons: basketball, an interesting music career, an entrepreneur, and so much.

Rui Hachimura News / Athlon Sports / December 29

Lakers Announce Concerning Rui Hachimura News on Monday

Rui Hachimura played his part in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 125-101 win over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. The 6-foot-8 power forward helped lead the Lakers to their first victory in four games with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting, four rebounds, an assist, two steals and two triples in 26 minutes of action.

Los Angeles Lakers News / Los Angeles Lakers on SI / December 28

Lakers Expected to Make Major Trades This Year

The 2025-26 Los Angeles Lakers have cooled off after a blistering 15-4 start to the season, largely behind the efforts of star guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.