Overview
- Two-way guard Nick Smith Jr., waived by Charlotte in the offseason, delivered 25 points and six assists on 10-of-15 shooting (5-of-6 from three) in 27 minutes, later saying he vomited at halftime but returned to finish.
- Deandre Ayton posted 29 points and 10 rebounds in his return from back spasms, while Rui Hachimura added 28, combining for 57 points to anchor the offense.
- Los Angeles played without Luka Dončić (lower left leg contusion management), Austin Reaves (right groin soreness) and LeBron James (sciatica) but flipped a third-quarter deficit into a comfortable finish.
- Redick summed up the performance as “confidence, belief, connectivity,” and players cited a next-man-up, player-led standard that has defined the early season.
- The Lakers improved to 6-2 overall and 4-0 on the road, and per ESPN Research have already had six different players score at least 25 points in their first eight games.