LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers had nothing to prove Sunday night, but they showed up to Crypto.com Arena anyway and took care of business. In the final game of the 2025-26 regular season, the Lakers dispatched the Utah Jazz 131-107, finishing the year 53-29 and clinching the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. Their next stop: a first-round playoff matchup against the Houston Rockets at home.
Dominant From the Jump
From the opening tip, the Lakers made clear they were not going to take their foot off the gas. Luke Kennard got them on the board almost immediately with an early jumper, and the momentum never left Los Angeles.
By the end of the first quarter, the Lakers had built a comfortable 32-22 lead, fueled largely by LeBron James, who piled up 10 first-quarter points and made the Jazz pay every time they gave him room to operate. A steal by LeBron that ended with a layup, immediately followed by a lob to DeAndre Ayton for a dunk, forced Utah into a timeout before the quarter was five minutes old.
First Half Takeover
LeBron finished the first half with 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists before sitting out the second half entirely. Rui Hachimura matched him with 18 points at the break, while Ayton contributed 10 points and 7 rebounds to help the Lakers take a 62-45 lead into the locker room. The Jazz, for their part, could not find an answer. Utah shot just 36% from the field in the first half and got outworked in nearly every area.
Bronny Steps Up in the Second Half
The second half belonged to a different cast of characters. With LeBron watching from the bench, Bronny James stepped into the starting lineup and made an immediate impact, knocking down three triples in the third quarter. Ayton pushed his total to 22 points and Hachimura reached the same mark before the period was over, and the Lakers stretched the lead to 21 heading into the fourth.
Knecht and the Bench Close It Out
The reserves closed it out in emphatic fashion. Dalton Knecht was the story of the final quarter, pouring in 17 fourth-quarter points and draining back-to-back threes to push the lead past 30. With 4:23 remaining and the score sitting at 120-92, the outcome was well beyond doubt. The bench unit played out the clock and the Lakers walked off the floor with a 131-107 final.
Notable: LaRavia, Smith Jr., and the Record Books
Jake LaRavia capped off the night by becoming the only Laker to appear in all 82 games this season. Nick Smith Jr., signed to the 15th roster spot earlier in the day after the team waived Kobe Bufkin, made his time memorable with back-to-back three-pointers in the second quarter.
Up Next: Playoffs
At 53-29, the Lakers have posted their most wins in a single season since the 2010-11 squad went 57-25. The regular season is over. The playoffs are here. Game 1 against Houston tips off next weekend at Crypto.com Arena.
Notable Stats of the Game
DeAndre Ayton: 22 points. 10 rebounds, 1 assist
Rui Hachimura: 22 points, 10 rebounds
LeBron James: 18 points, 4 rebounds , 6 assists
Upcoming Game for the Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers (53-29) vs Houston Rockets (52-30)
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Location: Crypto.com Arena • Los Angeles, Ca.
Tip-Off: 5:30PM PST/8:30PM EST
