Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia emphasized that his confidence has not wavered despite recent shooting struggles, one day after delivering a 21-point performance in Friday’s 128-121 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena.
LaRavia entered the matchup converting just 30.9 percent of his three-point attempts on the season and 22.6 percent over his previous 10 games. Against his former club, he hit 3-of-6 from long range while also contributing on the glass and defensive end, helping the Lakers snap a brief skid.
LaRavia: “Just got to continue to trust my shot”
“I go into every game with the same mentality,” LaRavia told reporters postgame. “Some nights it falls, some nights it doesn’t. Tonight the ball found me early, I stayed aggressive and finally knocked down some shots.” The 23-year-old added that he urges teammates to keep believing in his offensive game even during cold stretches.
Work with assistant coach credited for turnaround
LaRavia said extra sessions with Lakers assistant Beau Levesque have focused on rebuilding shooting fundamentals. “Beau always tells me, ‘Control the input and the output will show.’ I’m back to basics, working on my form, and tonight was hopefully the start of finding my rhythm again,” he explained.
Key role off the bench
Head coach JJ Redick has frequently paired LaRavia with the team’s stars, trusting him to guard scoring wings and provide spacing. Open looks are expected to remain plentiful with Luka Doncic and LeBron James drawing defensive attention, making LaRavia’s outside accuracy vital for the Lakers’ offense.
Team response after tough stretch
The Lakers endured several lopsided losses to close 2025, including a Christmas Day defeat to the Houston Rockets that prompted Redick to schedule an intense practice and pointed film session. LaRavia said he was pleased with how the group answered, first by beating the Sacramento Kings and now by toppling Memphis.
The forward’s efficient night may not become a nightly norm, but consistent three-point production could solidify an even larger role as Los Angeles pushes through the mid-season schedule.
Source: LakersNation.com
