LeBron's Lakers Fall to Rookie Flagg, Mavericks in First Game Since Injuries

Los Angeles struggles on defense without Doncic and Reaves, allowing Mavericks to score 134 points in the loss.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 2:24am

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The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a 134-128 road loss to the Dallas Mavericks in their first game since star players Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injuries. Despite LeBron James' 30-point, 15-assist performance, the Lakers' defense struggled to contain Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg, who scored 45 points, dished 9 assists, and grabbed 8 rebounds.

Why it matters

The Lakers' loss drops them to 50-28 on the season, the same record as the Denver Nuggets. While the Lakers have secured a playoff spot, their ability to maintain their third-place standing in the Western Conference without Doncic and Reaves will be tested in the final stretch of the regular season.

The details

The Lakers' defense was the main issue, allowing the Mavericks to score 41 points in the first quarter, 67 by halftime, and 40 in the third quarter. Despite LeBron James' strong performance and Luke Kennard's first career triple-double, the Lakers were unable to overcome Flagg's big night and the Mavericks' efficient offense.

  • The Lakers lost their first game since Doncic and Reaves were ruled out for the remainder of the season on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
  • The Lakers will host the Thunder on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena.

The players

LeBron James

The Lakers' star forward led the team with 30 points, 15 assists, and 9 rebounds in the loss.

Cooper Flagg

The Mavericks' rookie sensation scored a game-high 45 points, dished 9 assists, and grabbed 8 rebounds to lead Dallas to the victory.

Luke Kennard

The Lakers' guard recorded his first career triple-double with 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists.

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What’s next

The Lakers will look to bounce back when they host the Thunder on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at Crypto.com Arena.

The takeaway

The Lakers' loss highlights the importance of Doncic and Reaves to the team's success, as their absence exposed defensive vulnerabilities that the Mavericks were able to exploit. The Lakers will need to shore up their defense if they hope to maintain their position in the Western Conference standings without their two injured stars.