Overview
- With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out for the rest of the regular season, coach JJ Redick asked Kennard to run the offense and rejected the “just a shooter” label.
- Kennard delivered a first career triple-double in his debut in the role and followed it with a multi-game spike in playmaking that included 31 assists over four games.
- Team and tracking data show a steep rise in his touches and time on the ball, while his recent three-point accuracy dipped even though he remains among the season leaders from deep.
- Marcus Smart returned from a right ankle injury to share creation duties and reduce the on-ball load that Kennard had carried.
- The Lakers clinched first-round home court and waived guard Kobe Bufkin to open a roster spot, creating flexibility for postseason backcourt depth.