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Dan Woike

@danwoikesports.bsky.social
16K followers 197 following 326 posts

Covering the Lakers for The Athletic, listening to Dad Rock a little too loud and eating a little too much pizza

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Reposted by Dan Woike
Eric Koreen @ekoreen.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Nice job from @danwoikesports.bsky.social and @samamick.bsky.social to display the lay of the land heading into this Lakers offseason (free to read)
nytimes.com
Lakers must build around Luka Dončić. What does it mean for LeBron and Austin Reaves? (Gift Article)
LeBron James and Austin Reaves are free agents. L.A. is expected to explore Giannis trade scenarios. What's next for Luka and the Lakers?
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 19/04/2026
The Lakers weee supposed to do two things against the Rockets - they did neither - and they lead the series 1-0. www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...
nytimes.com
The Lakers had two keys to beat the Rockets. They did neither — and still won (Gift Article)
The Lakers didn't follow the game plan coach JJ Redick had laid out. They didn't need to.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Only @theathletic.com : For all the cynicism that exists around Bronny James, he stepped into the LAL rotation Wed. and showed why the Lakers believe in him - none more than his father. “He’s shown… why he belongs in this league. And what he can do in this league.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...
nytimes.com
Bronny James helps Lakers win alongside father LeBron: ‘He belongs’ (Gift Article)
It was no gimmick, the two playing alongside one another — it was another stage in a remarkable comeback that people often forget about.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Deandre Ayton is feeling two things right now. 1) The Lakers need him 2) He's come through. "Everybody’s been completely locked in, and I’m just tired of being the odd man out." (FREE) www.nytimes.com/athletic/712...
nytimes.com
After looking in the mirror, Deandre Ayton is ‘110 percent’ bought in for the Lakers
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
The Lakers had their “best win of the season” three times this week, the latest in a thriller against Denver. My story on a team very much looking like a threat after a classic against their rivals, complete with Luka Dončić‘a “goosebumps” moment (free) www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...
nytimes.com
Luka Dončić hits first game winner as a Laker to beat Nuggets in OT (Gift Article)
Dončić had possession with the score tied, beat Denver's Spencer Jones to the baseline and hit a stepback jumper with 0.5 seconds left
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 15/03/2026
The Lakers had their “best win of the season” three times this week, the latest in a thriller against Denver. My story on a team very much looking like a threat after a classic against their rivals, complete with Luka Dončić‘a “goosebumps” moment (free) www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...
nytimes.com
Luka Dončić hits first game winner as a Laker to beat Nuggets in OT (Gift Article)
Dončić had possession with the score tied, beat Denver's Spencer Jones to the baseline and hit a stepback jumper with 0.5 seconds left
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Something is happening with the Lakers (free) www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...
nytimes.com
The Lakers are buying in and building momentum after win over Timberwolves
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Wrote the words “fart noise” www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...
nytimes.com
LeBron’s future has never been more uncertain. It makes every game more meaningful (Gift Article)
As Luka Dončić becomes the Lakers’ present and future, LeBron James enters unfamiliar territory.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Marvin Gaye, Marlon Jackson, Sidney Poitier....some fun memories two of the best scorers in NBA history shared with me in this piece www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...
nytimes.com
The 1983 NBA All-Star Game: The last time the stars came out in Inglewood (Gift Article)
The 1983 All-Star Game had future Hall of Famers everywhere. But it's Marvin Gaye's rendition of the national anthem players remember most.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
What I'm hearing about the Lakers' deadline plans and beyond... www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
nytimes.com
Inside the Lakers’ decision room ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline
Rival teams say the Lakers are active heading into Thursday's trade deadline, but their reality is shaped by their long-term cap plans.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
LeBron James spoke about retirement as candidly as he ever has Wednesday night. Good luck trying to figure out which way he’s leaning www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
nytimes.com
LeBron James addresses retirement after Cleveland return: ‘When is it over?’
After getting teary-eyed during a pregame tribute, LeBron sounded at times like he was close to hanging it up. But he hasn't decided yet.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Reporting with Christian Clark - a look at where things stand with the Mavericks and the Lakers as they both (in very different ways) still deal with a shocking trade www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
nytimes.com
As Luka returns to Dallas again, Mavs still picking up the shocking pieces
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Reposted by Dan Woike
Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Twenty years ago, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points. I spoke to the Lakers breoadcaster who called each of those points, his first ever NBA play-by-play assignment www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
nytimes.com
The voice of the Lakers will always remember the first NBA game he called: Kobe scored 81
One night after calling Kobe's historic game, Bill MacDonald was back in a half-empty college gym. But the moment never left him.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Twenty years ago, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points. I spoke to the Lakers breoadcaster who called each of those points, his first ever NBA play-by-play assignment www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
nytimes.com
The voice of the Lakers will always remember the first NBA game he called: Kobe scored 81
One night after calling Kobe's historic game, Bill MacDonald was back in a half-empty college gym. But the moment never left him.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
For the first time in a long time, the Lakers stars elevated the role players who, in turn, elevated the Lakers stars. Was this a one off, or a sign of a trend that’s cause for optimism? www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
nytimes.com
Lakers find strength in numbers in Denver as role players mesh with Luka, LeBron
The individual brilliance of Luka Dončić and LeBron James have made it hard for the Lakers to work as a unit at times. But not on Tuesday.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
One year after the LA Wildfires destroyed his community, Lakers coach JJ Redick talked about those 12 months to @theathletic.com and the lessons in optimism, resilience and grief he’s seen and lived. www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
nytimes.com
Lakers’ JJ Redick reflects on ‘resilience’ and loss a year after Los Angeles wildfires
"The first 10 days, you're devastated," Redick said. "You're in shock and you're just trying to function in some ways."
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Exclusively @theathletic.com, LeBron James tells me “If it had to end, the perfect ending for the streak is tonight. It’s literally who I am. That’s who I am.” - My story from Toronto on the perfect ending James got to author. www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
nytimes.com
LeBron James says his assist was ‘the perfect way’ for scoring streak to end
James wrote his own ending, wrapping up a streak that began 15 days after Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg was born.
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joevardon.bsky.social @joevardon.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
The NBA widened its own betting probe to ask for cell phones. Two Lakers close to LeBron — and to Damon Jones, who is charged — are among those who complied. @mikevorkunov.bsky.social @samamick.bsky.social @danwoikesports.bsky.social and me www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
nytimes.com
NBA seeks cell phones from multiple teams, including Lakers, in gambling investigation: Sources
The NBA is continuing its investigation into illegal sports betting after three current or former players were federally indicted.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
It was obvious the Lakers have a long ways to go to get the OKC Thunder’s level. Also obvious? The Thunder are only adding to the distance the field is going to need to make up www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
nytimes.com
Thunder dismantle Lakers; Luka Dončić reflects on Dallas after Mavs GM's firing
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Jake LaRavia knows how to play basketball, his coach said Sunday. Here’s why that’s higher praise than it sounds www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
nytimes.com
Jake LaRavia's fit on the Lakers has been seamless: 'He just knows how to play'
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
Ready. To. Spend.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
We got some tough motherf—–s, man,” Jarred Vanderbilt told @TheAthletic. And Austin Reaves might be the toughest of em all. www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
nytimes.com
Austin Reaves' buzzer-beater lifts short-handed Lakers past Timberwolves
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
For @theAthletic: Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Austin Reaves walk into a record book. No joke. I showed Reaves the lists and he couldn't believe it. "Why me? … those are like the greatest players ever. And my name just randomly pops up.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
nytimes.com
Why does Austin Reaves keep ending up next to NBA legends? Even he's stumped
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 25/10/2025
“I told Luka, I said, ‘Yo bro, you have power.’ Like I’ve seen true power today,” DeAndre Ayton told me. “Like I seen four dudes on him. Bro, I set the screen and it was like they had to bring four. “What the f—?” All this for a missed dunk www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
nytimes.com
In a game where Luka scored 49, the biggest play for the Lakers was a missed dunk
Deandre Ayton attacking the rim with force fueled hope inside the Lakers' locker room that this year’s team has a higher ceiling.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
The Lakers, on and off the court, are obviously Luka Dončić’s team. It was never clearer than on Opening Night. Also clear? They really need LeBron James. www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
nytimes.com
Luka Dončić‘s night in the spotlight against Warriors highlights Lakers’ need for LeBron
In Golden State, LA could see what hurdles exist in this potentially awkward season.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
The Lakers, on and off the court, are obviously Luka Dončić’s team. It was never clearer than on Opening Night. Also clear? They really need LeBron James. www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
nytimes.com
Luka Dončić‘s night in the spotlight against Warriors highlights Lakers’ need for LeBron
In Golden State, LA could see what hurdles exist in this potentially awkward season.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
“I’ve had my head down working for so long. It’s hard to look up sometimes.” @TheAthleticNBA spoke 1on1 with the expected starting guard about a rough few years with the Lakers and why he’s still all in with the organization www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...
nytimes.com
Three years into his Lakers tenure, Gabe Vincent makes a true start
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Luka Dončić sure looked like himself Tuesday night in a way that Lakers fans really haven’t seen www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
nytimes.com
The real Luka Dončić showed up in his Lakers’ preseason debut
“I felt great,” Dončić said. “That was probably better than I expected."
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Going to put together a Lakers preseason mailbag - put your questions here
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
If he’s going to matter, either as a Laker or as a valuable trade asset, Dalton Knecht is going to have to figure some things out www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
nytimes.com
Can Dalton Knecht be the player the Lakers need? ‘He has to figure out who he is’
Whether or not Knecht will be able to adapt in the way the Lakers need him to is one of the more important stories of this season.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Jake LaRavia might be the only NBA player with a hobby where Nikola Jokic, LeBron James and Luka Doncic can stink and where Ryan Rollins is a find! I ripped some packs this summer with the Lakers' new forward and wrote about his collecting www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
nytimes.com
From wax packs to rated rookies, success is in the cards for Lakers' Jake LaRavia
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
For @TheAthletic - Lakers F Jake LaRavia has the one hobby in the world where Giannis, Luka, LeBron and Shai can stink — but Ryan Rollins gets special attention, We ripped packs with a card collector who just so happens to be on the cards himself www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...
nytimes.com
For Lakers’ Jake LaRavia, success is in the (mint condition) cards
“I'm a regular person,” says Lakers Jake LaRavia of his sports card collecting hobby.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
Picked one quote from each media session yesterday to sum up what mattered most for the Lakers www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...
nytimes.com
All you need to know about the Lakers, one sentence at a time
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — You can forgive the weary-eyed beat reporters who trudge into team facilities to sit and listen to two straight hours of some version of the “best shape of my life” an...
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 30/09/2025
This is a huge part of his leverage in negotiations -- the coming cap jumps plus averages last season that have only ever been exceeded by Magic, Jerry and Kobe -- there's sticker shock, but after a deep breath, it's much more reasonable
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Reposted by Dan Woike
Law Murray 📘 @lawmurraythenu.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
Lawrence Frank: "We feel confident we are on the right side of this"
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
Sources tell me Austin Reaves could receive FA offers north of $40 million next offseason. I asked him about that, about being a Laker, thinking he might get traded and about what he wants for himself as a pro www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...
nytimes.com
Entering key season, Austin Reaves is again proving his worth is par for the course
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
We've been busy....
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
For @theathletic.com : I went to Poland and spoke with Luka Dončić about why he thinks this year is actually his “start” Lakers - a beginning that comes complete with a new body, new opportunities and, maybe most interestingly, a new perspective on leadership. www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
nytimes.com
Luka Dončić ready to take his stardom to higher level with Lakers: 'This feels like a start for me'
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
For @theathletic.com : I went to Poland and spoke with Luka Dončić about why he thinks this year is actually his “start” Lakers - a beginning that comes complete with a new body, new opportunities and, maybe most interestingly, a new perspective on leadership. www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
nytimes.com
Luka Dončić ready to take his stardom to higher level with Lakers: 'This feels like a start for me'
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka showed up in Poland, quashing any questions about the organization's support of Luka Dončić and his desire to play for Slovenia www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...
nytimes.com
Lakers' Jeanie Buss, Rob Pelinka in Poland to support Luka Dončić, Slovenia
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 13/08/2025
Wednesday delivery on a Lakers mailbag - thanks everyone for the questions www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...
nytimes.com
Lakers mailbag: Is this LeBron's last season in LA? Could Giannis or Jokić be future targets?
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
Will be doing my first mailbag @TheAthleticNBA next week - send me all your Lakers/NBA/life questions here
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
Marcus Smart officially became a Laker Tuesday, his new team needing him to recapture his Celtics past. “I’m very motivated,” Smart said. www.nytimes.com/athletic/650...
nytimes.com
Is Marcus Smart the missing piece for the Lakers? He thinks so
After two seasons derailed by injuries, Smart is eyeing a bounce-back with the Lakers: "I think there's no ceiling."
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Fred Katz @fredkatz.bsky.social · 08/07/2025
As long as Bradley Beal secures a contract buyout with the Phoenix Suns, the LA Clippers are the likely leaders to sign the guard, league sources tell @TheAthletic. Story with Law Murray and @danwoikesports.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/648...
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Shouldn’t be surprised that Bronny James says he’s blocking out the noise about his dad and the Lakers - when you’re Bronny James, ignoring the chatter is a survival skill www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...
nytimes.com
Bronny James not focused on LeBron rumors: 'I don't really pay attention'
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Austin Reaves turned down a max extension this week and you shouldn’t be surprised www.nytimes.com/athletic/645...
nytimes.com
What’s next for Austin Reaves and Lakers after he declines a max extension?
While Reaves’ upcoming potential free agency meant his name was floating in rumors, the Lakers consider him one of three pillars.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 24/06/2025
Is everything going to change with the Lakers? How is Luka Doncic handling the offseason? What's going on at center? For the Lakers, some of the questions are the same as they ever were… www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...
nytimes.com
Five burning Lakers questions heading into the 2025 NBA Draft
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
Big news: I’m thrilled to share that I’m joining the best sports newsroom in the world, @theathletic.bsky.social, to cover the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s an incredible honor to work with so many journalists that I’ve long admired. Can’t wait to get started.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
Some news - Today’s my last day at @latimes. I’ve been so fortunate to spend 8 years at one of the nation’s top newspapers and to learn and work with so many incredible people. I’ll be sharing what’s next soon, but I wanted to acknowledge how special the LAT has been to me.
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Dan Woike @danwoikesports.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
JJ Reddick has ordered his players to “Be a banshee.” And after they figured what the hell that means, they’ve embraced it. t.co/khlQbSqQeg
t.co
https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2025-04-25/lakers-banshee-style-of-play-winning-spirit
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