Ratings for Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves in Lakers win vs. Blazers

If you were looking for an optimistic image from Friday’s loss to the Lakers, it would be that they were far more competitive than their last trip to Minnesota. But moral victories get you nothing in the NBA, and the Lakers still went home with a loss, falling to the Wolves 97-87.

It was an odd game that never felt like it had much rhythm or flow. It looked like two teams that had just had an extended midseason layoff. It also looked like a team that was actually good and one that wasn’t.

The Lakers have some issues that have been prevalent in recent weeks. But as long as they remain damaged and less than 100%, they won’t really know what solutions they have on the list and what they still don’t have answers for.

So let’s dive into the loss. As always, ratings are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance of that player.

Max Christie

37 minutes, 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 5-9 FG, 2-3 3PT, 3-3 FT, -4

The Lakers didn’t have many people who looked good offensively on Friday, but Christie was one of them. Between his shooting, his aggressiveness attacking the rim and his reads, it was a good night from him.

He also had a tough defensive assignment, often guarding Anthony Edwards. While Ant missed part of the second half due to injury, he was also just 9-20 from the field.

Grade: A-

Rui Hachimura

39 minutes, 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 4-13 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1-2 FT, -18

After head coach JJ Redick complimented him as one of the most consistent players in applying what the coaches tell him, Rui responded with a tough game.

Beyond just an overly poor shooting night, his inability to hold on to a rebound late really hurt and will likely be remembered most from this one. He also had a mixed bag of results against Julius Randle defensively.

Grade: D+

Anthony Davis

36 minutes, 23 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, 10-21 FG, 1-5 3PT, 2-5 FT, -22

With LeBron James out, the Lakers really needed a big AD play. He absolutely did not answer.

Just looking at the box score shows a double-double, but he had some really tough games on the night. His four turnovers included some incredibly frustrating ones as he continues to have mental lapses that are proving really costly.

He just never got into a flow offensively. He had chances and opportunities but didn’t deliver. For a player of his caliber, AD needs to be better.

Grade: C-

Gabe Vincent

25 minutes, 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2-7 FG, 2-4 3PT, -5

It’s nice that Vincent isn’t unplayable bad anymore, which will definitely help his trade value in a few days.

Jokes aside, he has been a useful bench player in recent weeks. However, the Lakers need more than that from someone on his salary. They also need more of that from a starter, but that’s more of a Redick issue that we’ll address later.

Overall, six points on seven shots is not getting it done enough.

Grade: C

Austin Reaves

30 minutes, 18 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 6-16 FG, 4-8 3PT, 2-2 FT, -2

Reaves looked like both someone the Lakers missed dearly and someone who hadn’t played basketball in weeks.

All in all, he had a good fight, but it took him a while to get his footing. If anyone deserved some leeway, it was him, who just returned from a back injury after two weeks out.

Grade: B+

D’Angelo Russell

20 minutes, 5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2-10 FG, 1-7 3PT, -8

Just a real disaster of a night for D’Lo. He picked up three fouls very quickly and was forced to the bench for most of the first half.

Then he looked out of rhythm as he missed shot after shot on the night. His 3-pointer from the logo at the end of the third quarter looked like someone who didn’t realize how much time was on the game clock.

Then most will remember his two chances late on open 3-pointers to give the Lakers a lifeline, and both missed badly.

Again, the Lakers needed guys like D’Lo and AD to have big nights and the former didn’t deliver at all.

Grade: F

Dalton Knecht

19 minutes, 6 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2-5 FG, 0-3 3PT, 2-4 FT, -7

The rookie wall kicks Knecht’s ass. He is struggling offensively to knock down the shots he hit earlier in the season. And if he doesn’t score, it makes it difficult to keep him on the pitch defensively.

While the rebounding is nice, it’s not enough to give him big minutes. Redick could help the situation with some more play calls for Knecht, but he also needs to play at a level worthy of having more play calls for him.

Grade: C-

Cam Reddish

23 minutes, 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2-5 FG, 0-3 3PT, 1-1 FT, +4

There isn’t much to say about Reddish at this point. That’s beating a dead horse. He is a massively flawed player who gets minutes because the Lakers are injured.

Grade: C

Christian Koloko

12 minutes, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, 3 blocks, +12

Would it be an exaggeration to call Koloko the bright spot of the night for the Lakers? He was great in his limited minutes and possibly should have played more. Either way, he gained some confidence on Friday.

Grade: A+

JJ Redick

On certain things, I’m willing to give Redick some leeway because he’s a first-year coach trying to figure things out. But we’ve gone way past the point of plausible deniability regarding some of these setups.

His starting lineup in the last two games has been terrible. That puts the Lakers in a big hole from the start. It doesn’t work offensively, it sets a bad tone, and it shouldn’t even be a lineup that sees the floor, let alone starts games.

If LeBron doesn’t play on Sunday, the lineup can’t stay the same.

Degree; D-

Friday’s DNPs: Maxwell Lewis, Quincy Olivari, Armel Traore

Friday’s inactive: Jaxson Hayes, Jalen Hood-Schifino, LeBron James, Bronny James, Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.