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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Defector

NYC: Come To Our WNBA Comedy Show On May 16

10-minute-quarters-3-2-fix (1)

Live Event

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Ray Ratto

Los Angeles, CA - April 19: Minnesota Timberwolves bench reacts after a basket as Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on in the second half of a first round game one NBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 117-95 to win game one of a first round NBA basketball game

The Lakers Have Bigger Problems Than Luka Doncic Can Fix

<p>Staff Writer</p>
<p>Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.09</p>


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Chris Thompson

Luka crying

You Would Cry Too If It Happened To You

James Harden shoots against Kai Jones of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of a game in April 5, 2025 in Inglewood, California.

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers

The Western Conference Is Heading Into A Week Of Glorious Chaos

The Bulls celebrate an incredible last-second win.

Chicago Bulls

How About These Absurd Chicago Bulls?

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Patrick Redford

lebron_mcafee

ESPN: LeBron James, On ESPN, To ESPN: “ESPN.”

LeBron James dribbling

The Lakers Are Puking And Shitting At An Inopportune Moment

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Samer Kalaf

celtics-lakers-jayson-tatum-lebron-james

Celtics Bring Lakers Back Down To Earth

DENVER, COLORADO - MARCH 5: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts for the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Ball Arena on March 5, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Tyler McFarland/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)

Sacramento Kings v Denver Nuggets

JJ Redick Invented A New Way To Defend Nikola Jokic, And It’s Working

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Tom Ley

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his 3-point basket to score his 50,002 NBA regular season and playoff career points during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on March 04, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

New Orleans Pelicans v Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron Damn James

Luka Doncic celebrates.

Luka Doncic Rubs The Mavericks’ Noses In Their Own Mess

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Luka Doncic #77 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the fourth quarter of a game against the Indiana Pacers at Crypto.com Arena on February 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Indiana Pacers v Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron And Luka Will Have To Make A Weird, Compromised Roster Work

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 02: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands next to Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter in game one of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 02, 2023 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers v Golden State Warriors – Game One

Everyone Thinks They Have A Shot

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Israel Daramola

Minnesota Timberwolves v Dallas Mavericks

No But Seriously, Why Did The Mavericks Trade Luka?

Dave McKenna

A photo of Dallas Mavericks player Luka Doncic shurgging on court during a game

Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Clippers – Game Two

Mavericks Send Luka Doncic To The Lakers In Trade Best Described With Unhinged Obscenities

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 02: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter at Target Center on December 02, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers v Minnesota Timberwolves

The Lakers Cannot Stop Embarrassing Themselves

Bronny James talks with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers on the bench during the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers Gave An Assist To Bronny By Beating The Shit Out Of The Lakers

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers asks for the crowd to quiet down as Anthony Davis #3 shots free throws against the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter

Sacramento Kings v Los Angeles Lakers

These Lakers Already Feel Different

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Giri Nathan

Jaylen Brown and Kysre Gondrezick at a Summer League game

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Wings Week

Celtics Wing Kisses Ring After Dissing King’s Offspring

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 02: Lebron James watches as the Los Angeles Lakers introduce 2024 NBA draft picks Dalton Knecht and Bronny James at UCLA Health Training Center on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. (Robert Gauthier / For The Times)

Lakers Draft Press Conference

Roster Flexibility Is A Flexible Term

Bronny James is drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bronny James drafted

Much Ado About A Worthless Pick In An Awful Draft

JJ Redick looks on before the game between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers on March 2, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers

After All That, The Lakers Hire LeBron’s Podcast Co-Host

JJ Redick is seen prior to Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden on June 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.

JJ Redick

JJ Redick And Shams Are Back, Maybe

NBA reporters Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania

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Lakers’ Messy Coaching Search Revives The Scoopster Standoff Between Woj And Shams

(Original Caption) Lakers' Jerry West (C) is guarded closely by Celtics' Bill Russell (L) as he goes in for a layup, 3rd period, 1st game of championship playoffs of the NBA, Boston Garden (4/18). Celtics' Willie Naulls is on the right. Celtics won the game, 142-110.

Bill Russell Guarding Jerry West

Jerry West Never Left His Game

Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics attempts to dunk the ball against P.J. Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter in Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.

2024 NBA Finals – Game Two

The Celtics Are Winning Everywhere

los angeles lakers