“I mean, I love it. This is a competitive sport. We’re all competitive. And you believe in yourself to the fullest. … He brought something that they’ve been lacking in that department. But it’s our job to go out and respond.” - Marcus Smart on the Phoenix Suns’ Dillon Brooks

“This is my job. I'm not gonna just say, 'Oh, we're not going to be a good defensive team.' No. We're gonna scrap and claw and do everything we can to turn us into a good defensive team.” - JJ Redick on LAL’s recent defensive struggles

Jarred Vanderbilt on whether there was a direct conversation from the coaching staff that he would be out of the rotation: “Kind of here and there, I guess” On being back in the rotation: “It was a surprise” On how he’s handling all this: “I’m good … supporting the team”

HOW 🤯

New story: Austin Reaves will be reevaluated in approximately one week because of a mild calf strain, the latest challenge for a Lakers team that has lost three out of their last five games

Austin Reaves has a mild left calf strain, per the Lakers. Will be reevaluated in approximately one week.

“If teams start out being more physical, the way the game gets called is different. … If you're trying to ratchet the game up in the middle of the game … it's just not going to work” - Gabe Vincent on the importance of establishing style with the refs from the opening tip

JJ Redick on fixing the Lakers’ defensive issues: "We’re looking at everything. We've got to be serious about where we are right now.“ Would that include Jarred Vanderbilt back in the rotation? "If this continues, he'll definitely get his opportunities."

Jake LaRavia had a root canal to fix his front tooth after it was jarred loose against Philadelphia last weekend. The biggest adjustment so far, other than wearing a mouthguard during games? “No bites of apples … I love apples. I’m a big apple guy”

Gonna be a fun and emotional day. So happy for @elleduncanESPN and what’s next for her. I’ve never had a better partner on TV. I’m grateful for the friendship and laughs that we built along the way which will long outlast our careers. She’s as good as it gets.

Former NBA player, Jason Collins, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Glioblastoma this summer. Jason and his husband, Brunson, traveled to Singapore to try an experimental treatment that will give him more time. @ramonashelburne was able to sit down with him as he talks about his

This fall, when ⁦Jason Collins⁩ was given a terminal brain cancer diagnosis, his twin brother Jarron said to him, “You have to fight.” Jason nodded. “I know how to do that.” I have the privilege of helping ⁦@jasoncollins98⁩ tell his story.

New story: Rich Paul says the Lakers aren’t a Western Conference finals contender. LeBron James says it’s way too early for playoff talk. But everybody in LA’s locker room agrees their defense needs major work after being exposed in the Cup quarterfinals

“I can’t think about what we can do in the playoffs in December. … Talking about what type of damage we can do in the postseason in December, that’s not right for the Basketball Gods.” - LeBron James when asked if the NBA Cup has any bearing on the Lakers’ playoff outlook

“That’s a weakness we got to get better at. The spirit is still high in here, we know we can do it. … But we have to be a group that guards with five people” - Austin Reaves on the Lakers’ persistent problems on perimeter defense so far this season

$53,000 at stake for every Lakers player in this 4th Q, down 104-87 to San Antonio. Complete the comeback, they are guaranteed $106,000 apiece and stay in the hunt for the $530,000 championship prize.

The Lakers trail 70-58 at the half, cutting into the Spurs' once 18-point lead. LeBron James helped the late 2nd Q charge by dunking all over San Antonio's 7-1 center Luke Kornet. He put the sky in sciatica.

Luka Doncic keeps on the referee, arguing he should have gotten a foul call for Kelly Olynyk making contact with his eye and ends up getting T'd up. It's his 5th technical foul of the season.

Quick story on the Lakers playing on their standard court when they host the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup quarterfinals tonight

LAL will host SAS on their standard court in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, sources told ESPN. Players had issues w/ the slippery surface of the alternate bright yellow Cup court during the group stage. A league source told ESPN the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution”