The Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up the 2025-26 regular season with a convincing 131-107 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday in Los Angeles, keeping alive their bid for the Western Conference’s No. 3 playoff seed.
Los Angeles entered the night needing a win and a Denver Nuggets loss to secure third place. The Lakers handled their part of the equation despite continuing to play without injured guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Ayton dominates inside
Center Deandre Ayton carried the offense early, repeatedly finishing pick-and-rolls and controlling the paint. He sat out the fourth quarter with the outcome in hand but still posted 22 points and 10 rebounds on 10-for-14 shooting.
Hachimura stays hot from deep
Rui Hachimura matched Ayton’s scoring total, adding 22 points and 10 boards of his own. The forward, among the league’s most accurate three-point shooters this season, knocked down 3 of 5 attempts from long range.
Bench contributions
Sophomore guard Dalton Knecht closed his season on a high note, pouring in 17 points in 12 fourth-quarter minutes. Forward Jake LaRavia appeared in his 82nd game, the only Laker to play every contest this year.
What’s next
The Lakers open the first round of the 2026 NBA playoffs at home against the Houston Rockets next Saturday.
Source: LakersNation.com
