A week after head coach Darvin Ham told him to be more assertive on offense, Lakers guard Spencer Dinwiddie took those words to heart and had his best game in the purple and gold. The veteran guard made his second start for LA and helped the Lakers torch the Indiana Pacers, 150-145.
How does Dinwiddie’s performance set the tone for the team as the season winds down, and could he keep this up heading into the playoffs?
A Season-High Performance Sets the Tone For Lakers Final Stretch
Dinwiddie’s Red-Hot Night
After several struggles and a call out by his coach, Spencer Dinwiddie broke out for 26 points against Indiana on remarkable efficiency. He shot 8/11 from the field, 2/3 from three and 8/9 from the free-throw line. He was aggressive from the jump on both ends of the floor, scoring from his spots while getting key stops.
Darvin Ham on Spencer Dinwiddie: “That’s the type of players he is, he’s multi-faceted. He’s willing to accept and embrace whatever role is put in front of him. We’ve asked him to defend some high level perimeter guys, play-make, and be aggressive… Tonight, he did all three.” pic.twitter.com/u6Y0ubSwyv
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 25, 2024
His performance—coupled with the dominance from Anthony Davis and LeBron James—was a major factor in LA’s own scoring outburst, as their 150-point outing had not been seen since the days of the “Showtime Lakers.”
Dinwiddie, a ten-year veteran, put his standout game into perspective, recognizing his adjustment is for the betterment of the organization:
“At any given time, I’ve played anywhere from 1-15. I’ve literally been the primary guy on the floor all the way down to the towel-waving guy at the end of the bench who knew he wasn’t going to play. I’ve played all of those [roles]…It’s more so just about reading the room and understanding that you’re part of something bigger. Taking every day as it comes. Knowing D’Lo was going to be out and knowing there [were] going to be spots for me to be aggressive, [I] just tried to stay up to that moment, be consistent with my workout and routine, and go from there.”
Dinwiddie’s mindset should resonate with the rest of the Lakers’ supporting cast, who have filled a variety of roles with injuries plaguing their season.
With the Lakers’ standings coming down to the final games, Davis emphasized that Dinwiddie needs to attack every game with the same focus he had last night.
Anthony Davis on Spencer Dinwiddie scoring 26 points tonight, his most since joining LAL: “How he played tonight, we’re going to need him to play like that the rest of the season” pic.twitter.com/jx0wDaMYZ1
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 25, 2024
The veteran has set the tone for the home stretch of the season, putting together a complete game that’s required for the Lakers to win. However, questions remain with LA’s point guard rotation slowly becoming whole again.
Can Dinwiddie Keep This Up Off the Bench?
With Russell returning to the lineup soon after his illness—and Gabe Vincent expected to make a comeback—Spencer Dinwiddie will be expected to perform like this even if he comes off the bench. Luckily, he has shown he’s capable of these hot performances as a reserve. His best game with the second unit came on Dec. 12, 2018, as he led the Nets with 39 points against the 76ers.
Now, even as a seasoned veteran, Dinwiddie must be that microwave scorer for the Lakers. With the majority of their offensive weapons in the starting lineup, LA’s bench had been missing the offensive edge it relied on in the past. Rui Hachimura, once considered their top option off the bench, has taken his talents to the first five, averaging 14.4 points per game as a starter this season. The wave of injuries hasn’t done LA any favors, either, making an offensive focal point crucial. It’s clear that, at least after tonight, Dinwiddie could be that guy.
Sunday night’s win was the first time in quite a while that Dinwiddie looked comfortable. He was an excellent floor general who got buckets with ease, and it looked like the Lakers didn’t skip a beat with Russell out. He was the catalyst that fans expected him to be, letting the dynamic duo shine while cooking up his own electric performance. Dinwiddie finally turned the corner as an efficient shot creator, a factor that the Lakers also missed throughout the year. The point guard is proving that he was the right choice for the Lakers, and his worth will be essential as LA vies for a playoff spot.
The Last Word
As it stands right now, Spencer Dinwiddie will continue to back up Russell as the postseason approaches, and he will have to retain and excel in that role even if Vincent returns. Sunday night’s dominance was a sign of things to come both for Dinwiddie and the Lakers. Now, it’s up to the veteran to keep this up no matter his role, as his contributions will be magnified with the playoffs coming closer.
