Los Angeles

Lakers

A favorite of many fantasy managers willing to punt free-throw percentage, Kessler didn’t miss a shot from the field or the foul line on Sunday. Add in the rebounds and blocks, and this was a nice end to the week for those rostering the 7-footer. Kessler, who’s averaging just under three blocks per game, has blocked at least three shots in three games.

After committing eight turnovers in Friday’s loss to the Warriors, Reaves committed three against the Raptors. He didn’t shoot the ball particularly well on Sunday, but Reaves entered the game shooting 54.8 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from beyond the arc. He’ll look to bounce back on Monday when the Lakers host the Heat.

Dončić put on a show Sunday night, shooting high percentages from the field and the foul line as part of an elite stat line. With the Lakers’ deep reserves failing to put the Raptors away, head coach JJ Redick had to insert four starters back into the game. That got Dončić four more points from the foul line. The lone negative was the seven turnovers, but the stat line was so robust that few will complain. The Lakers play four games next week, starting with the Heat on Monday.

Sunday’s game will be the third Williams has missed due to left foot/heel injury management. The good news is that, while Williams is dealing with soreness, scans of the foot came back clean. Jake LaRavia should remain in the starting lineup until Williams is cleared to return.

Williams remains out for a third straight game, so Jake LaRavia will continue to start.

Williams has missed the Lakers’ last two games, so Jake LaRavia has moved into the starting lineup. If Williams remains out, LaRavia will get another start.

Carr, who suffered a strained oblique during the preseason, will be available to make his NBA debut on Sunday. How much he plays remains to be seen, especially with the Lakers also playing on Monday.

Kessler has blocked at least five shots in two games this season and at least one in each of the Lakers’ six games. Add in the rebounds and field-goal percentage, and this was a good night for fantasy managers who are rostering the 7-footer. As long as Kessler can stay healthy, he should provide good value for those punting free-throw percentage. The Lakers end their week with a home game against the Raptors on Sunday.

Although Reaves recorded his fifth 20-point game in six appearances, it was not a good night for him. For those hoping Luka Dončić’s return to the Lakers’ lineup would help limit Reaves’ turnovers, he committed eight for the second straight game. He was also 1-of-6 from three, but the recent jump in turnovers is a concern, especially for managers in nine-cat leagues. Hopefully, Reaves will take better care of the basketball on Sunday against the Raptors.

Dončić was rolling during the first quarter, knocking down five three-pointers and scoring 21 points. Unfortunately for the Lakers, their star guard needed a rest to start the second quarter, which opened the door for the Warriors to turn things around. While Dončić scored 13 second-half points, he didn’t get enough help from teammates beyond Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler to avoid the defeat. The Lakers host Toronto on Sunday to end their week.