The Los Angeles Lakers have been forced to adjust on the fly due to injuries to Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, and those changes have opened the door for a new starting combination.
Over the past two games, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia have stepped into the starting lineup. The results are mixed in the standings (1–1), but during Friday night’s 128–121 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, the defensive impact and energy provided by the duo were impossible to miss.
Familiarity That Translates on the Court
After the win, Smart explained that his chemistry with LaRavia is not new. The two previously played together in Memphis, and that existing connection has carried over seamlessly to Los Angeles.
“It’s huge. Me and Jake coming from Memphis together, having that connection that we built over there and to bring it over here,” Smart said.
“He doesn’t get a lot of credit for his defense, but he’s a really good defender. We just have to keep feeding his confidence on that end because we’re definitely going to need him.”
That familiarity has helped both players operate instinctively, especially in rotations, switches, and help defense.
Disruptive Defense by the Numbers
Statistically, Smart and LaRavia have become the Lakers’ most disruptive defenders.
According to Law Murray of The Athletic, the duo leads the team in deflections, averaging 3.1 per game. That total is 26 deflections more than the next closest player on the roster.
On the court, their impact shows up in multiple ways:
- Active hands in passing lanes
- Diving for loose balls
- Applying constant ball pressure
- Disrupting offensive flow without needing to score
Against Memphis, they were instrumental in helping the Lakers jump out to a strong start defensively. Even as the Grizzlies made their push back into the game, Smart and LaRavia continued to deliver timely defensive stops.
Setting the Tone From the Opening Tip
For LaRavia, the responsibility is clear: defensive intensity must be present from the very first possession.
“That’s the role that me and Marcus bring to this team — the defensive effort, the defensive intensity, the physicality,” LaRavia said.
“When we’re in the starting lineup, it starts from the jump. We have to do it from the first punch.”
That mindset has defined his approach throughout the season. While his offensive touches can vary from night to night, his defensive effort does not.
Contracts, Roles, and Defensive Value
Both players arrived in Los Angeles this past offseason:
- LaRavia signed as an unrestricted free agent
- Smart joined after agreeing to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards
Among standard-contract players on the roster:
- LaRavia ranks fifth on the team in defensive rating (117.1)
- Smart ranks seventh (118.1), per StatMuse
LaRavia has long embraced the idea of impacting games without scoring.
“I’ve always played hard. I’ve always played with effort,” LaRavia said.
“I go into every game knowing I have to change the game defensively, help us win extra possessions, dive for loose balls, and make winning plays.”
Balancing Star Power With Defensive Work
The Lakers undeniably miss the offensive production that Reaves and Hachimura provide. However, Smart and LaRavia have replaced that scoring with defensive consistency, which has helped stabilize lineups featuring LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
Smart summed up the role clearly:
“We’re with some gifted talent on the offensive end,” he said.
“On the defensive end, we have to do things to balance that out. And that starts with us bringing that energy.”
As long as the Lakers’ lineup remains shorthanded, the Smart–LaRavia pairing may continue to be a key ingredient in maintaining competitiveness — not through scoring, but through effort, toughness, and defensive identity.
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