How Jake LaRavia Earned His ‘Mr. 82’ Nickname with the Injury-Prone Lakers
Jake LaRavia Achieves Remarkable Milestone with Lakers’ 82-Game Streak
Jake LaRavia proudly displayed a T-shirt adorned with the motto “Stack good days,” fitting for the Los Angeles Lakers’ latest iron man. The 6-foot-7 forward has accomplished an impressive feat this season, playing all 82 regular-season games for the Lakers.
In a decisive 131-107 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday, LaRavia contributed two points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals, marking a successful end to a season where he became one of only 18 players to appear in every game. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering LaRavia experienced significant injury struggles in his first three NBA seasons, including a broken thumb that sidelined him for the final ten games last year, hampering the Sacramento Kings’ playoff efforts.
Reflecting on his goals upon joining the Lakers as a free agent, LaRavia remarked, “I just wanted to have a healthy, consistent, reliable year, and I was able to make that happen.”
Despite facing injuries within the team, LaRavia played a critical role in securing the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, finishing the season with an average of 8.2 points and four rebounds per game. He also set career highs in steals (1.3) and minutes played (25.1). A standout moment this season came when he scored 27 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves in October, demonstrating his potential and earning widespread recognition.
However, LaRavia faced challenges, particularly in three-point shooting, having one of his least productive seasons in that category. Yet, his relentless hustle compensated for it; he led the Lakers with 249 total deflections and averaged 3.0 deflections per game.
Lakers coach JJ Redick praised LaRavia’s commitment to fitness and preparation. “He takes a lot of pride in taking care of himself… he’s brought a really high level of consistency, particularly on the defensive end,” Redick stated.
This season’s injuries have made for a challenging atmosphere for the Lakers. LeBron James missed 14 games due to a sciatic nerve issue, while Austin Reaves spent six weeks on the sidelines with a calf injury. As the Lakers prepare for the playoffs, which begin at home against the Houston Rockets on Saturday, both Reaves and Luka Doncic are out indefinitely.
LaRavia credited a combination of luck, determination, and a rigorous weight training regimen for his successful season. Throughout the year, he was listed on the injury report only once, but he continued to deliver strong performances.
“I feel like once you hit like a certain threshold, it’s just like, ‘make it through this game, make it through this game, make it through this game,’” he shared. “So, I feel like my mindset just got to the point of just like, just keep thugging it out.”
As LaRavia walked into the locker room post-warmups, he was met with cheers of “Mr. 82,” a testament to his extraordinary accomplishment in what has been a tumultuous Lakers season.
