ORLANDO, Fla. — Lakers ahead Jake LaRavia already knew in regards to the achievement.
When talking with The California Post within the customer’s locker room at Kaseya Center earlier than the Lakers’ road win over the Heat on Thursday, LaRavia recalled precisely what number of games in the past he set a profession excessive for probably the most games he’s performed in an everyday season.
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It occurred throughout the March 14 home win over the Nuggets, which was the 67th sport LaRavia performed this season, surpassing his 66 games performed in 2024-25. It was additionally the Lakers’ 67th sport of the season.
And with LaRavia having performed in each sport of the Lakers’ ongoing six-game journey that continued with Saturday’s matchup towards the Magic at Kia Center, he remained on tempo to play in all 82 regular-season games — a purpose he set for himself after final season.
The Lakers’ Jake LaRavia is on tempo to play all 82 regular-season games this season. NBAE through Getty Images
“I was on pace for whatever it was last season, then I got hurt when I was in Sacramento,” LaRavia advised The Post. “It was kind of like the first three years of my career, kind of just had been riddled with injuries. So, it’s unfortunate. It’s not like I could have controlled any of those things.
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“However … everyone says the same thing: The best ability is availability. So I just really tried to make that my goal this year. I’m on pace right now. And hopefully, God willing, everything stays on track, and I’m good to play all 82. But I’m just glad that I’ve been able to have a healthy stretch.”
LaRavia performed in the primary 33 games of 2024-25, and 66 of 72 games, earlier than sitting out the ultimate weeks of the season after struggling a damaged left thumb — the kind of harm that was largely out of his management.
But LaRavia has taken a stronger grasp of the issues he can management to assist him not solely be accessible each sport but additionally play nonetheless many minutes the Lakers want from the 24-year-old ahead.
LaRavia’s 1,732 minutes performed coming into Saturday could not sound like so much (rating 83rd throughout the league coming into the weekend), however they’re 383 extra minutes than he performed final season.
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He mentioned he’s been on a “pretty strict diet” since hiring a chef earlier than the beginning of final season. But the largest change for this season has been his work in the burden room.
(*82*)LaRavia credit a greater food regimen and upkeep weight coaching for his games-played streak. NBAE through Getty Images
“It’s the most I’ve lifted in my career,” LaRavia advised The Post. “So credit to that for why I’ve been able to not only not get injured but to be able to play through these little knickknack injuries that I might have sat out previously for.”
He added: “It’s mostly maintenance lifting. Just keeping everything strong so I don’t have to worry about going in and [twisting] my ankle a little bit and now I’m out. I can twist my ankle a little bit and still be able to play through it.”
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Lakers star Austin Reaves remembers the problem of enjoying all the 2023-24 common season.
It’s why he isn’t shy to present a reminder that he truly performed 83 games that season, together with the Lakers’ NBA Cup final over the Pacers in December 2023.
He recalled inside conversations about resting him for a sport someday in late December 2023 or early January 2024, however that didn’t occur. After enjoying each sport by means of February, he knew he needed to push himself to play all the season.
LaRavia is one among 19 gamers on tempo to play all 82 regular-season games this season. NBAE through Getty Images
“Not a lot of people are able to say that they’ve done it,” Reaves advised The Post. “So I used to be like, ‘Let’s do it.’ I bear in mind the final sport we performed in New Orleans, after all 83, I used to be like, ‘Damn, that took a lot.’”
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Reaves, along with star forward LeBron James (2017-18), coach JJ Redick (2009-10), associate/assistant coach Nate McMillan (1994-95) and assistant coach Scott Brooks (1988-89; 1991-92; 1992-93) are among the Lakers who’ve performed in each sport of an NBA common season.
“It’s not easy; 82 games is a lot,” Reaves mentioned. “It [takes] just a lot of mental toughness and a lot of good fortune.”
Playing in all 82 games has turn into much less widespread.
LaRavia is averaging 8.6 factors and three.9 rebounds this season. NBAE through Getty Images
Eleven gamers performed in all 82 regular-season games final season, down from 17 in 2023-24 (the primary season of the Player Participation Policy for star gamers). Eighteen gamers performed in all 82 games a decade in the past (2015-16) after 32 did in 2010-11 to begin the 2010s.
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When Redick performed in all 82 games, he was one among 39 gamers to accomplish that. LaRavia entered the weekend as one among 19 gamers on tempo to play in each regular-season sport — an inventory that features Magic guard Desmond Bane, a former Grizzlies teammate of LaRavia’s.
“It’s very challenging,” Redick mentioned. “It’s always been challenging. It’s very challenging now. [LaRavia] had talked about it early in the year, was a goal of his to play all 82, and he’s someone now in his fourth year, similar to my fourth year when I did it, who’s now in the rotation every night. And that hasn’t been the case for him throughout his career. So he’s taking advantage of a great opportunity.”
LaRavia’s counting stats don’t bounce off the web page (averages of 8.6 factors, 3.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 24.7 minutes), however he’s made an influence together with his disruptive protection, offensive rebounding and physicality — qualities the Lakers have recognized they might rely on each sport.
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