05/02/2026, 9:39 PM
Exits rotation in Game 6 win
Lakers head coach JJ Redick utilized an eight-man rotation while Friday's contest was still competitive, and Vanderbilt ended up losing hold of his spot on the second unit while Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia and Jaxson Hayes operated as the team's main reserves. The Lakers could eventually get Luka Doncic (hamstring) back at some point during their Western Conference Semifinals series versus the Thunder, and Vanderbilt will face an even tougher path to regaining playing time once Los Angeles is at full strength. Before failing to get off the bench Friday, Vanderbilt had appeared in 11 straight games dating back to the regular season and averaged 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 14.3 minutes.
05/02/2026, 2:13 PM
Chips in 15 points in Game 6 win
Reaves was back in the Lakers' starting five for Game 6 after coming off the bench in Game 5 on Wednesday. He wasn't productive Friday as he was Wednesday, but in a low-scoring affair, Reaves still finished as the Lakers' third-leading scorer behind LeBron James (28 points) and Rui Hachimura (21 points). Luka Doncic (hamstring) does not have a clear timeline to return, so Reaves for now will serve as the Lakers' No. 2 option behind James for the team's semifinals matchup against the top-seeded Thunder.
05/02/2026, 2:08 PM
Contributes in Game 6 victory
It was the second time in the series that Hachimura scored 20-plus points, and he finished as the Lakers' second-leading scorer behind LeBron James (28 points). Hachimura will finish the first round of the Western Conference playoffs having averaged 15.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 2.8 threes and 1.0 steals over 38.5 minutes per game. The Lakers will face the Thunder in the semifinals.