After a dispiriting showing against the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Lakers embarked on a trip east for a three-game road trip.
The Lakers kicked off the trip against the second-seed counterparts the Toronto Raptors. Toronto has been one of the pleasant surprises of the 2025-26 season and presented a challenge to Los Angeles because like Phoenix they play with an all-out effort on both ends of the floor. To make matters even more difficult, the Lakers were without Luka Doncic as he was reportedly attending the birth of his second child.
Despite Doncic’s absence, Los Angeles was able to go toe-to-toe with a Toronto team that was on the verge of winning thanks to their fourth quarter efforts. However, Rui Hachimura buried a 3-pointer at the buzzer that gave the Lakers a thrilling 123-120 victory.
Without Doncic, Austin Reaves assumed the responsibility of being L.A.’s primary scorer and playmaker and he delivered with another amazing performance. Reaves saw heavy defensive attention and pressure in the first half as the Raptors recognized the rest of the Lakers’ roster besides LeBron James could handle decision-making.
While Reaves took some time to get going, he erupted in the third quarter as he couldn’t miss from beyond the arc. Every time the Raptors gave up even a sliver of space, Reaves took advantage to get a shot up and he made them pay.
The rising star guard finished the evening with a massive double-double of 44 points, 11 assists and five rebounds. He was an efficient 13-of-21 from the field including 5-of-11 from the 3-point line and 13-of-15 from the free throw line.
Hachimura drew criticism for his disappearing act in Los Angeles’ loss to the Phoenix Suns, but he more than made up for it against Toronto. Hachimura was still relegated to a fourth option behind Reaves, James and Deandre Ayton, but he still was aggressive in certain spots.
Hachimura deserves plenty of credit for being prepared in the clutch to nail the game-winning 3-pointer and it speaks volumes that the team entrusted him to knock it down, specifically James, who found him for the shot instead of taking it for himself and seeing his double-digit scoring streak come to an end. Hachimura finished with a modest 12 points and three rebounds but he proved his worth.
Deandre Ayton was excellent on both ends of the floor, especially in the painted area. Ayton’s been one of the best screeners and rollers in the league and he feasted on open looks near the rim.
Defensively, Ayton was a deterrent at the rim as several Raptors struggled to score over him. Ayton recorded 17 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
What’s next for the Lakers
The Lakers finish the second night of their back-to-back on Friday against the Boston Celtics before ending their road trip on Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
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