The Times Lakers Newsletter: Mapping a New Route
Welcome back to The Times’ Lakers newsletter, where we’re mapping a new route. This week, we’re tracking the early-season discoveries of a team that has started 3-0, finding its identity game by game — much like the cartographers for whom Salt Lake City’s Asher Adams hotel is named.
Coach JJ Redick captured the metaphor perfectly after Sunday’s win over the Utah Jazz. Staying in a repurposed railroad station inspired him to think about mapping: “As the season starts, you’re mapping sort of who you can be. Every new game early in the season, you’re discovering something different, combinations that work, lineups that work, whatever it may be, and that’s exciting.”
Full Steam Ahead
The Lakers welcomed a critical crew member back into the fold this week, and he’s making his presence known immediately. Collin Sexton’s role looks small in a box score — just nine points in 18.1 minutes per game, a 25% three-point shooting mark, and three steals through his first two games. But the numbers don’t do his brand of ball justice.
Teammates report feeling his influence the moment he checks in. The free agent acquisition guards like a pesky summer mosquito and attacks with the relentless force of his well-earned nickname: Bull.
“They call me a bull for a reason,” Sexton said. “Whenever I get out on that court, it’s go time. It’s no creeping into the game.”
After missing the entire preseason and the regular-season opener, Sexton is making an immediate impact. His energy off the bench helped shift the team’s 132-123 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday when the Lakers overcame a lifeless first quarter. Sexton has shown his relentlessness since he arrived — during a pickup game on the team’s summer trip to Slovenia, he took a Luka Dončić elbow to the mouth that cut both lips. Instead of backing down, he wiped his mouth with a towel and turned back toward the court with a simple “let’s go.”
“There’s a level of insanity with him,” Redick said. “And I think our team responds to insanity.”
The 27-year-old guard has always had that aspect to his game. He was a scrappy young player who wanted to keep up with older kids, including his brother Jordan. They used to call him “Young Bull.” Now, it’s just “Bull.”
Sexton’s intense playing style has remained as his career has evolved. The eighth pick in the 2018 draft, he earned second-team all-rookie honors with Cleveland. He teamed with Darius Garland to make a dynamic, high-scoring backcourt duo. But Sexton suffered a season-ending knee injury in November 2021 and was traded to Utah in a sign-and-trade that brought Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland. The former lottery pick is now on his fourth team in six seasons.
Another injury slowed the beginning of his Lakers tenure. Sexton suffered a right calf strain during training camp. He is still finding his offensive rhythm, but even when he wasn’t on the court, he wanted his teammates to feel his presence.
“One thing I was able to do is just stay present, just continue to be a leader, and continue to use my voice as much as I can,” Sexton said, “and just continue to come in with the right attitude and the right approach.”
Matisse Thybulle already knew of Sexton’s endless energy. But Sexton’s vocal leadership surprised the Lakers’ forward this season. When Sexton made his season debut against the Clippers on Oct. 23, Thybulle noticed how active Sexton was in organizing the team offensively and defensively. Already responsible for bringing defensive energy, Thybulle had no choice but to step up his own effort once Sexton arrived.
There’s no hiding this Bull on the court. And he’s inspiring a stampede.
“It gives us even more energy,” Thybulle said of Sexton. “And I think it’s just one of those things that, like, when everyone else is doing it, you don’t want to be the guy to not be.”
Mr. Consistency
With a flurry of three-pointers and defensive stops, Dončić landed body blow after body blow. Then Austin Reaves hit the knockout shot. After Dončić hit three late three-pointers in the Lakers’ dramatic win over the Jazz, it was Reaves who hit the dagger shot with 32.3 seconds left to put the Lakers up by seven points. Reaves held a finger to his lips. The Utah fans in the crowd streamed toward the exits.
The Lakers have the highest-scoring offense in the league through the first week of games, yet haven’t had all their stars aligned. Dončić needed Sunday’s 52-point, 10-assist outburst to offset what he called a “terrible” performance against the Clippers in which he had 11 turnovers. He shot 38.5% from the field during the first two games.
Walker Kessler had a perfect offensive Lakers debut then was a six-block, three-steal defensive menace in his second game. But the star center disappeared Sunday while battling an emotional return to Utah.
While his teammates still settle into the season, there’s always Reaves. The Lakers’ “Mr. Consistency,” as Redick called him.
The guard is averaging 26.7 points on just 12 shot attempts per game with 6.3 assists per game during the first three games. He is shooting an eye-popping 63.9% from the field. The efficiency, as Dončić put it in a charming mistranslation, is “off the roof.”
Fresh off a massive four-year, $180-million contract extension that solidified Reaves as a legitimate star player, the humble Arkansas native has elevated his game with the same mindset taught to him from his parents and older brother.
“Play the game the right way, the game’s gonna reward you,” said Reaves, who is trying to earn his first All-Star appearance this season. “We have a team that understands roles and what we ask them to do. The thing about our team is there’s no ego, there’s no anything, just want to win basketball games and however that happens is the main thing.”
Redick praised Reaves’ patience this season. Kessler marveled at Reaves’ skill and ability to score while also making plays for others.
Dončić, now the unquestioned No. 1 option since LeBron James’ departure, thrives next to another top ballhandler. In Dallas, he began with Jalen Brunson. He went to his first NBA Finals next to Kyrie Irving. The Lakers hope pairing Dončić and Reaves can go even further.
“To have him next to me, leading this team, it’s awesome,” Dončić said. “So, if he keeps going like that, he’s going to be really good for us.”
They passed the baton back and forth during Sunday’s gritty win. Reaves shushed the crowd after his dagger shot. Dončić waved goodbye. The only fans left to make noise were the traveling Laker faithful who showered the road team with cheers at the buzzer.
Poll Results
Last week, we asked: “Where do you think the Lakers will finish in the Western Conference?” After 1,222 votes:
- Top-two seed: 2.4%
- First-round home court (3-4): 33.6%
- Safely in playoffs (5-6): 43.9%
- Play-in (7-10): 17.3%
- Cancun by mid-April: 2.8%
On Tap
Records updated before Monday’s games
Tuesday vs. Trail Blazers (2-0), 8 p.m. This could be one of the most star-studded backcourt matchups of the season. The Lakers have Dončić and Reaves. The Trail Blazers are starting Damian Lillard and Ja Morant. Lillard, returning from an Achilles injury suffered in the 2025 playoffs, is averaging 22 points.
Wednesday at Clippers (1-2), 7:30 p.m. The Lakers ran away in the second half against the shorthanded Clippers last week. The Clippers were counting on Brandon Ingram to move on past Kawhi Leonard, but the former Lakers draft pick is still out with an Achilles injury.
Friday at Warriors (0-3), 7 p.m. Luka vs. Yaxel, NBA Cup’s version. The Warriors’ rookie made a bold choice by trash-talking with Dončić during the season opener. With the Warriors struggling, the only bright spots of this fallen dynasty might be the flashes of brilliance from Stephen Curry and what viral content Lendeborg will provide next.
Sunday vs. Raptors (2-1), 6 p.m. Sandro Mamukelashvili will host his former team as the Lakers begin a second back-to-back in a week. This stretch is one of the busiest the Lakers will face this season, but at least it’s all contained in California.
Monday vs. Heat (0-3), 7 p.m. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s much-heralded move to Miami has produced big numbers, but no wins. The former Milwaukee star scored 71 points in the first two games combined, but the Heat weren’t even competitive against two playoff hopefuls (Minnesota and Detroit).
Favorite Thing I Ate This Week
There’s a pennant in Downtown Salt Lake City’s Old Cuss Cafe hanging above the cash register that reads “This place sucks.” Don’t let the self-deprecating decor deter you. The breakfast burrito is awesome. It’s got the staples with potatoes, eggs, onions and sausage (or bacon), but it’s the fragrant pesto that takes it over the top. It made me forget to be mad that my hotel room wasn’t ready yet.
In Case You Missed It
- Luka Dončić scores 52 points, hits several late clutch shots as Lakers rally to beat Jazz
- ‘I miss him.’ Lakers reunite with Rui Hachimura in first game against Clippers
- Swanson: Luka Dončić’s trash-talking antics sharpen his edge. Lakers fans need to embrace it
- Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler lead Lakers past the Clippers
- How the Lakers’ Luka Dončić went from ‘Wonder Boy’ to ‘The Man’
- Walker Kessler’s Lakers debut couldn’t have gone much better
- Lakers’ new Luka Dončić era opens with rout of Warriors
- Lakers center Walker Kessler believes his competitive side will overcome pressure
Until Next Time…
As always, pass along your thoughts to me at thucnhi.nguyen@latimes.com, and please consider subscribing if you like our work!
Sports, News, Entertainment, Basketball, Los Angeles Lakers, Collin Sexton, Austin Reaves, Luka Dončić, NBA, People
