When the Los Angeles Lakers entered Portland Monday night without LeBron James, Luka Dončić, or Austin Reaves, most expected a grind, maybe a loss. Instead, they walked out with a 123-115 win — and a new story to tell.
The stars were missing. The headlines, temporarily, were not. Instead, it was the Lakers’ young players who carried the weight — and then some.
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Nick Smith Jr.: From Two-Way Guard to Hero
The breakout performance came from Nick Smith Jr., a 21-year-old on a two-way contract. Smith poured in 25 points, six assists, and hit five threes on 10-for-15 shooting. In a league where opportunity is fleeting, Smith seized his moment.
“I just wanted to come out here with energy,” Smith said postgame. “Coach JJ and the staff believe in me… Just come out, compete, and win. I feel like we did that today.”
That alone would have been enough. But Smith also admitted to vomiting at halftime and returning anyway. It’s moments like this — raw, unfiltered determination — that signal the Lakers’ depth isn’t just paper-deep.
Jake LaRavia: Quietly Becoming a Force
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Smith’s heroics were complemented by Jake LaRavia, whose rise has been more gradual but no less impactful. The 23-year-old forward is averaging 22 points over his last three games, shooting at an eye-popping 75% clip. His left-handed dunk over Miami’s 7-footer Kel’el Ware wasn’t just a highlight; it was a statement: this team’s next wave of players can carry the load when the stars are out.
LaRavia’s attitude mirrors the team’s youth ethos: “It’s easy to play with Luka and AR… I’m just running harder than the other team and taking my chances,” he said. That mindset is infectious.
Bronny James: Learning on the Fly
Then there’s Bronny James, the 2024 second-round pick, who continues to carve a role. Against Portland, he added five points and six assists, showing poise beyond his years. Coach JJ Redick has made clear he trusts Bronny in real minutes — not token garbage time.
“I thought he was really good on the ball,” Redick said. “He got a steal off the ball, and his awareness was impressive.” Moments like the alley-oop dunk against Miami, which had his father leaping out of his seat, suggest Bronny isn’t just along for the ride. He’s becoming a reliable, if still developing, piece of the rotation.
A Team Evolving
Monday’s win wasn’t an anomaly. It was a sign: the Lakers’ depth, led by Smith, LaRavia, Bronny, and others like Hachimura and Ayton, is real. These young players aren’t just filling in for the stars; they’re shaping the narrative.
JJ Redick summed it up succinctly: “Maybe a lesser team wouldn’t find a way to do that, but that’s what we do.”
For the Lakers, the youth movement is no longer a side story. It’s the story.
