Jake

LaRavia

Hachimura is out after initially being listed as questionable, leaving the Lakers down a reserve. Jake LaRavia and Luke Kennard should see their playing time increase with Hachimura unavailable.

Hachimura, one of the Lakers’ most important reserves, is dealing with an illness. If he’s unable to go, the Lakers will rely a bit more on fellow reserve Jake LaRavia.

Dončić and Ayton missed time before the All-Star break, but both players will be available against the cross-town rivals. Expect each of them to handle their typical workloads which will mean fewer minutes for Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes.

With Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and LeBron James all sidelined for Tuesday’s game, it felt like a spot where LaRavia could get all the shots that he wanted. Unfortunately, he got into early foul trouble, committing five in the first half. LaRavia would foul out with 7:43 remaining in the third quarter, playing 19 minutes. The Lakers should be closer to full strength for Thursday’s game against the Mavericks, which should mean LaRavia takes on a role that he’s more comfortable with.

Dončić suffered the left hamstring injury in Thursday’s win over the 76ers, and McMenamin notes that there is optimism the injury is not serious. Fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief for now, but the extent of Dončić’s injury is still unknown. Until we get more clarity on the situation, the Lakers will fill his vacated minutes by committee with Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard logging some additional minutes.

With Tuesday’s game being the first for Reaves since Christmas Day, he was on a minutes restriction. Coming off the bench, the Lakers’ guard logged 21 minutes in his first game back. Reaves didn’t have the best night shooting the ball, but he was able to get to the foul line. Based on how Lakers head coach JJ Redick handled the rotation, Jake LaRavia could be the odd man out once Reaves’ playing time is no longer restricted. Reaves started the second half, replacing LaRavia (18 points, five rebounds, one steal and one three-pointer). However, LaRavia heading to the bench isn’t set in stone, especially with Marcus Smart (6/3/1/1) being the player who moved into the lineup when Reaves went down in December.

LaRavia will shed his questionable tag and play through his left quad contusion. He should remain in the starting lineup, with Rui Hachimura supporting him off the bench and picking up additional minutes if LaRavia is limited.

LaRavia, who’s been a fixture in the starting lineup since the end of December, is dealing with a left quad contusion. If he’s unable to play against the Bulls, that opens the door for Rui Hachimura to start for the first time since going down with a strained calf last month.

Since making his return from a strained calf on January 13, Hachimura’s playing time has increased steadily. Thursday’s game was the second straight in which he logged 28 minutes, and the Lakers’ forward was solid. The question now is whether Hachimura is locked into the reserve role or will he reclaim his place in the starting lineup. Jake LaRavia (7/5/1/3/4 with two three-pointers) was highly productive as a defender on Thursday, but he only played 22 minutes as the starter. That’s something to be mindful of as the Lakers move forward.

LaRavia shot the ball efficiently on Thursday en route to finishing as one of five Lakers to score in double figures. The first-year Laker also collected a couple of steals in his team-high 37 minutes and tied for the team lead in three-pointers. LaRavia scored in double figures for the sixth time in January and continues to have a really good stretch from a production standpoint. He’s rostered in only 21 percent of Yahoo! leagues, and could be a worthwhile roster addition for those managers looking for upside.