Locked On Lakers - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Lakers

The Locked on NBA Squad show brings together hosts from across the network to discuss the latest NBA playoff developments. In this episode, they analyze the injury-plagued Cleveland Cavaliers' struggles against the Indiana Pacers, debating whether the Cavs can overcome their setbacks. The conversation then shifts to the Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves series, with hosts dissecting...

Monday, we broke down the potential options in front of the Lakers and LeBron James this summer. He's expected to return to the team, but the "how" of it all is important.  The reaction? A surprising (or maybe not that surprising) number of fans who for one reason or another, are just ready for the LeBron Era to end in LA. For some, it's because they still don't quite understand the salary mechani...

We learned heading into the weekend that even if the Lakers managed to push through Game 5 and extend their series with Minnesota, they'd likely finish whatever playoff run remained without LeBron James, who suffered a strained MCL in Wednesday's loss.  Now, of course, it's on to the business of the offseason. And while the team doesn't belong to James anymore, his choices are likely to be most im...

With 2024-25 Lakers season officially in the books—earlier than most expected—GM Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick met the media Thursday in El Segundo.  They covered a lot of ground.  From Rob Pelinka:  The Lakers had a transformative season, with a lot to be proud of... while still falling short of expectations and goals.  He's expecting a lot of movement in the NBA this offseason, and the La...

A postseason that began with so much optimism ended far, far faster than virtually anyone expected. The Lakers lose Game 5 to the Wolves Wednesday at the Crypt, final score 103-96. Minnesota left the door wide open for the Lakers, but they couldn't push through. They came out incredibly tight, seemingly unsure of what they wanted to do on the floor. Little breaks that didn't go their way seemed to...

Rudy Gobert had 27 points and 24 rebounds, and former Laker Julius Randle added 23 as the Minnesota Timberwolves closed out their best of seven series with the Lakers 103-96 in five games. Luka Dončić led the Lakers with 28 points and LeBron James added 22, but it wasn’t enough as the Lakers' summer plans begin today.   Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Rui, Hachimu...

Wednesday is technically Game 5, but for the Lakers, it's Game 7, 1.0.  Win, and they get another chance at another Game 7 on Friday, in Minnesota.  Tuesday in El Segundo, from JJ Redick to Luka Dončić on down, the team expressed confidence it could still win the series. The belief in themselves, the talent, their stars and anything else athletes use to forge that belief is genuine. Tonight, it's...

24 hours (or so) later, the conversation hasn't died down. Did JJ Redick cost the Lakers Game 4 by not making a single substitution in the second half?  If social media/responses on the Locked On Lakers YouTube page are any indication, most Lakers fans don't feel any better about what Redick did given a little space to think about it. So does time make the choice any better? Does it feel worse? An...

As a matter of sports entertainment, Sunday's 116-113 loss to Minnesota in Game 4 of this first round series was unquestionably top notch.  But for Lakers fans, it was monumentally disappointing. The Lakers blew a 10-point lead starting the fourth, and smaller leads later in the game. There were execution mistakes down the stretch. Anthony Edwards again outplayed Luka Dončić down the stretch, and...

Anthony Edwards scored 43 points and former Laker Julius Randle added 25 as the Minnesota Timberwolves took three games to one series advantage, beating the Lakers 116-113. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 38 points while LeBron James added 27 in the loss.   Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Rui, Hachimura Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, Dorian Finney-Smith, NBA, Laker...

The Lakers turned the ball over 19 times, leading to 28 Minnesota points. They took 13 fewer shots than the Wolves. Luka Dončić had a stomach virus, and the supporting cast was, to say the least, lacking.  And despite all that, the Lakers had every opportunity to win Game 3 at the Target Center.  But over the last six minutes of the game, their mistakes finally caught up with them, and when the of...

Jaden McDaniels scored 30 points and Anthony Edwards chipped in with 29 as the Minnesota Timberwolves took game three of their best-of-seven series against the Lakers 116-104. LeBron James led the Lakers in the loss with 38 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as the Lakers hope to even the series on Sunday at 12:30 Pacific time. Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Luka Do...

The Lakers face a stiff test tonight in Minnesota, where the Wolves (and their fans) host Game 3.  Minnesota has been a very solid home team. The Lakers have been... not great on the road. The home crowd will be extremely fired up, and while the Lakers often get quasi-home games in another team's arena, this won't be one of them. But the Wolves might be a little more vulnerable than a typical play...

The eye test said the Lakers did a lot of things better in Game 2 than in Game 1 (beyond just winning the game). The difference in physicality was particularly visible on the defensive side, where LA was, for the most part, pretty suffocating all night. But it also showed up on offense, even though the Lakers only scored on more point on Tuesday compared to Saturday. They ran more action, set cons...

It wasn't easy, it wasn't pretty, but it was enough to get the job done.  With their backs against the wall, the Lakers needed a victory, in whatever form they could manage. To get it, they'd need to turn up the physicality, turn up the energy and bring some force to the series. And they did. LA's activity, especially in the first half, was outstanding. They built a big lead in the first quarter,...

Luka Dončić had 31 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists while LeBron James added 21 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists as the Los Angeles Lakers evened their series against the Wolves, beating Minnesota 94-85. The Timberwolves were led in the loss by Julius Randle’s 27 and Anthony Edwards's 25. The two teams will battle it out in game three in Minnesota on Friday night.   Lakers, LA Lakers, L...

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Monday in El Segundo, the Lakers were undo no illusion about the stakes in tonight's Game 2 against Minnesota at the Crypt. To a man, it was called a must win. Because while the series isn't over with a loss, winning three of four—with three of the remaining games in Minnesota—would be a very, very tall order. So it's go hard or go home, so to speak, with a big emphasis on go hard. Because that wa...

There was a lot that didn't work for the Lakers in Saturday's Game 1 against Minnesota. For starters, the Lakers simply lacked the needed physicality and intensity required to compete with a team like the Wolves in a playoff setting. Why? It's hard to know. But it needs to change on Tuesday, and it's hard to believe the Lakers—hyper aware of their failures in that regard—won't bring it at a higher...

After the first quarter, it was all downhill for the Lakers. Minnesota controlled the offensive glass, getting too many second chance points. They hit too many triples, too many of which were wide open. They pressured the Lakers into bad offense. The result, a 117-95 win for Minnesota in Game 1 Saturday night at the Crypt. Luka Dončić put up 37 for the Lakers, but overall the team's offense was a...

Things looked good for a quarter... and then the roof caved in.  Saturday's 117-95 loss in Game 1 was a full menu of everything that felt concerning for the Lakers heading into the series. Controlling the defensive glass? Yeah, that was an issue. Defending the 3? Oh yeah, that was a problem. Avoiding transition opportunities? Not good! Too much frustration looking for foul calls? Too much of that!...

Jaden McDaniels scored 25 points, Anthony Edwards had 22, and Naz Reid added 23 off the bench as the Minnesota Timberwolves took Game 1 of their playoff matchup, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 117-95. Luka Doncic had a game-high 37 in the loss, as the Lakers hope to even the series in Game 2 Tuesday night.   Lakers, LA Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Rui, Hachimura Austin Re...

Friday, the Lakers announced that the team and Rob Pelinka have agreed to a contract extension that includes a promotion to President of Basketball Operations (in addition to his role as General Manager). On the surface, this will feel to many like a prize for simply having the good fortune of being handed Luka Dončić on a gift-wrapped platter. And no doubt, landing a generational superstar just n...

At practice Thursday in El Segundo, Dorian Finney-Smith made it very clear that the Lakers as a team are looking forward to opening the playoffs on their home floor, and absorbing the energy the crowd can bring. Because make no mistake, Lakers fans are hyped for this, and the Lakers as a team worked very, very hard to earn home court advantage. Hopefully the Lakers won't need it, but it's great to...

Very, very few folks are picking the Timberwolves to win this first round series with the Lakers. In fact, it's hard to find anyone picking Minnesota. So are they off the mark?  Ben Beeken, host of Locked On Wolves joins the show to break it down.  For what its worth, Beeken agrees, this is LA's series to lose. Why? For starters, the Lakers have three of the four best players in the series, and in...