si
The Los Angeles Lakers have surged to the top of the Western Conference with an 8-2 start, their best since the 2019-20 championship season. With Luka Doncic playing at an MVP level, the supporting cast has stepped up, and on Friday, second-year forward Adou Thiero made his season debut after recovering from a knee injury.
Thiero logged just seven minutes against the Portland Trail Blazers, but his impact was undeniable. Head coach JJ Redick praised the young forward's activity on the offensive glass and his poise when facing blitzes. "Yeah, I thought his first two defensive possessions, he made mistakes, and then after that, he was awesome," Redick said. "He literally did everything we asked him to do. He was great on the offensive glass. Even sometimes where we didn't necessarily get the possession, he was tapping the ball and crashing. I thought the read made out of the short role. I think they blitzed three times in the first half, and two of those were against him. He makes the short role, and he gets the lobs. So, I thought he played a great game. Defensively, [it] was really good the second half."
Key Analysis
Thiero's ability to contribute without the ball in his hands could earn him a larger role as the season progresses. The Lakers acquired him in a complex seven-team trade during the 2025 NBA Draft, sending the 45th overall pick and cash considerations to Brooklyn. Despite his injury history, Thiero's promising debut suggests he could become a valuable rotation piece for Los Angeles.