The famous wrestler Sting, in describing his character change in 1996 from a clear babyface to a darker, enigmatic character, offered the perfect axiom about predicting the future. Noted the Stinger: “The only thing that’s for sure about Sting is nothing’s for sure.”

This would be the same for sports media. There are some trends that look obvious (increased investment in women’s sports media; legacy media consolidation and layoffs; Netflix becoming a bigger sports player; more media leaning into sports betting revenue), but who knows? Still, we bring you some guesses for 2025.

1. Tom Brady will walk away from broadcasting before the start of the 2025 NFL season

I’ve previously said I’d put down big money that Brady will not finish his 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox, given all his various business interests away from broadcasting, including ownership. That remains true. The safer prediction would be that Brady walks away from his Fox deal after three or four years. But I’m going bold and saying Brady gets deeper involved with the Las Vegas Raiders in the offseason and decides to go all in with NFL ownership and his production company by the start of the next NFL season.

2. WNBA viewership will go up in 2025

This isn’t a moment for women’s sports; it’s been a movement for some time. Game 5 of the WNBA Finals — a 67-62 overtime thriller won by the New York Liberty — averaged 2.15 million viewers, the most-viewed WNBA Finals game in 25 years. The finals averaged 1.6 million viewers, up 115 percent over last season. It capped a fantastic year of viewership for the league — and this is where we absolutely mention that the catalyst for the viewership explosion was interest in Caitlin Clark. Overall, there were 32 WNBA television windows among its media partners that topped 1 million viewers during the 2024 season, including the WNBA Draft. That crushed the previous record of 15.

Next season will see new partners NBC and Amazon Prime Video as part of a long-term TV rights deal, and you should expect them to invest serious marketing dollars. Under the new agreements, Disney, NBC and Amazon will distribute more than 125 regular-season and playoff games nationally each season, including a minimum of 25 regular-season games on Disney platforms, 50 regular-season games on NBCUniversal platforms and 30 regular-season games on Amazon Prime Video. The league will also get a bump from a new franchise (Golden State Valkyries) and more offseason exposure for star players thanks to the new 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, Unrivaled, launching in January 2025.

Clark’s star will continue to rise, and if you think bad-faith actors knocking her for culture-war points are going to have an impact on viewership, I’d refer you to those who predicted NFL viewership was forever done. It’s arrow up for the WNBA.

3. ESPN Flagship will be an immediate hit

ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, code-named “Flagship,” will allow consumers to access the entire suite of ESPN networks without a traditional pay-TV subscription. That includes the full programming lineup of ESPN+ and what currently airs on linear ESPN. There will also be integration with ESPN Fantasy and ESPN Bet. Reports indicate a starting price of between $25 and $30 per month, and the price point is what I think will attract consumers initially. I think early subscriber numbers will exceed expectations, especially given recent big increases at YouTube TV.

The research firm MoffettNathanson, which provides trends in media, communications and technology to institutional investors, put out a note this month projecting that “after an initial investment of $75 million in FY (fiscal year) 2025 to get the service up and running (anticipating a launch at the tail end of FY 2025 in time for the start of the NFL season), we project an initial one million paid subscribers in FY 2026, driving subscription revenues of just over $200 million and ad revenues of $20 million.” I predict that number is higher by FY 2026.

4. Kevin Harlan will call NBA games for Amazon Prime Video

Ian Eagle has an agreement in place as one of Amazon’s lead broadcasters, and I predict Harlan joins him. A 1-2 game-calling combination featuring Eagle and Harlan will give the streamer massive instant credibility in the live-game space.

5. ESPN will opt out of its current MLB contract after the 2025 season

This is probably as close to a layup prediction as it gets. MoffettNathanson said opting out could save Disney/ESPN as much as $600 million in expenses, although most expect a restructured contract. Will ESPN get local games for Flagship?

6. UFC will be split between ESPN and Netflix

No inside intel from me — just a guess that UFC ends up echoing WWE and lands with both Disney and Netflix for its product. And thus begins Netflix going in big on sports rights.

7. ESPN finally commits to a dedicated women’s basketball daily studio show during the WNBA season

You have a transcendent audience draw in Clark, a litany of interesting All-Stars from A’ja Wilson to Kelsey Plum and an appetite for storylines both on and off the court. If ESPN wants the credit for building women’s basketball in America, as it always does, this isn’t even up for discussion given the multiple outlets it has. If this isn’t something that exists next year, the network should be crushed for it.

8. The Pac-12 will land at least one name-brand media company for its media rights

In November, the Pac-12 announced that Octagon will serve as the agency of record to guide the conference through the media-rights landscape. That signals to me that someone with some weight is going to bite, and I’ll take a flier that it will be WBD Sports, whose 2024 was defined by losing rights to the NBA on TNT. The 2026-27 season has Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State and Utah State joining Oregon State and Washington State. The league needs one more football-playing school to reach the threshold to remain recognized as a conference within the FBS division.

9. ESPN rents an active player or coach for the NBA Finals

It’s been clear for some time that ESPN management does not want a two-person booth for its NBA Finals coverage. It’s also clear that the network desires a notable name (e.g., Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers) to sell on the marquee.

Who could that be? My colleague Andrew Marchand posited in this piece in June that ESPN should already be courting the likes of LeBron James or Steph Curry in the event they would ever considering broadcasting. That’s an interesting long-term play. What I think is very likely for 2025 is someone such as Chris Paul becoming a guest game analyst for the Finals. Longtime NBA coach Monty Williams would also be an interesting one-off.

(Top photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)

Two games will determine the final seeding for the NFC playoffs heading into the final week of the regular season: the NFC North title game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions and the NFC South title game between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It’s been an interesting season and the results have stunned fans across the league. Who would have thought the Vikings would be playing for a division title and homefield advantage in the playoffs with Sam Darnold at the quarterback position? On the flip side, nobody would have guessed the Lions being as good as they are with a slew of players injured.

The Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins are all still in contention for the final AFC playoff spot as well.

But those are only two teams among the many that have driven storylines this season. Which team finishes on top of the Fox News Digital power rankings next week will be interesting to see as well.

For now, read below for the penultimate regular-season power rankings.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-1)

The Chiefs rode a magic carpet to the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and Patrick Mahomes is starting to put up the production that is normal for him just in time for the playoffs. The Chiefs proved that they can go nearly undefeated with a subpar Mahomes all year, but now that he’s back to form, the NFL should be bracing for a chance at a historic third straight Super Bowl. Buffalo is the team that poses the greatest threat, but nabbing the top seed will give the Chiefs the homefield advantage in any potential playoff meeting, which they didn’t have earlier this year.

Last week: 3

2. Detroit Lions (14-2)

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

In a meaningless game, the Detroit Lions offense looked the best it’s been all season long. Lions fans can only hope that their team will be all good for Sunday night’s NFC North title game, which will give them or the Vikings the No. 1 seed. But is anyone surprised Dan Campbell was aggressive on Monday?

Last week: 2

3. Buffalo Bills (13-3)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen celebrates his touchdown run against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo)

The Bills are 10-1 since their 3-2 start, and Josh Allen is the odds-on favorite to capture the NFL MVP award. All the regular-season accomplishments are nice, but legacies are created in the postseason. This might be the best chance Buffalo has had to get through the AFC and reach the Super Bowl and anything less would be a disappointment.

Last week: 1

4. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)

Minnesota Vikings’ Sam Darnold congratulates Cam Akers on a touchdown catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Minnesota proved that despite the NFC North being stacked, they are still in the same class as the Lions after taking down the Packers earlier this week. Even when Justin Jefferson doesn’t find the end zone, they find other ways to beat you. A win in Detroit on Sunday night would be huge to see their true title chances.

Last week: 4

5. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley runs the ball against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

No Jalen Hurts, no problem for the Eagles against the Cowboys. Both Kenny Pickett (before leaving due to injury) and Tanner McKee looked solid in relief of the Eagles star quarterback. With the Eagles now locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC, does head coach Nick Sirianni give Saquon Barkley a chance to eclipse Eric Dickerson’s record for most yards in a season or opt to rest Barkley in preparation for the playoffs? Barkley is 101 yards from breaking the record and would have a chance to do it against his old team, the New York Giants.

Last week: 5

6. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson runs off the field after an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Lamar Jackson made his case for MVP clear. Now it’s time to focus on getting to the postseason healthy.

Last week: 6

7. Green Bay Packers (11-5)

Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

It’s not Green Bay’s fault their division is stacked. But all it takes is a hot streak at the right time. They were this close to an NFC title game appearance last year, and with another year of playing together, they very well take the next step in January.

Last week: 7

8. Washington Commanders (11-5)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels waves to the crowd after an overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Jayden Daniels has Commanders fans believing, and for good reason. The rookie quarterback continues to play his best when the game is on the line, and he did just that in the Commanders’ overtime win over the Falcons. Before the season, no one could have imagined the Commanders in the playoffs, let alone clinching before Week 18. General manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn deserve a ton of credit for the impressive turnaround the team has made.

Last week: 8

9. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert celebrates during the second half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

After months of treading water and looking like the same low-ceiling Chargers of years past, Jim Harbaugh’s influence may have manifested in a late-season surge for his team in recent weeks. A breakthrough win against the Broncos followed by dominance in New England has the Chargers looking as well-equipped as any team in the AFC to compete in the playoffs. However, it’s possible they used up all their touchdowns the last two weeks and will revert to playoff chokers. They haven’t quite earned the benefit of the doubt yet.

Last week: 10

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson reaches to recover his own fumble against Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna during the first half of an NFL football game, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

The Steelers showed they still have a ways to go to make waves in the playoffs. Can Mike Tomlin rally the troops and get ready for the playoffs?

Last week: 9

11. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts after a defensive stop during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

The Rams beating the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night ultimately led to their NFC West clinch thanks to some strength of schedule victories by the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Washington Commanders and Minnesota Vikings. So, the Rams’ matchup with the Seahawks, who sit below them in second place in the division, doesn’t matter in Week 18 as they’ve already celebrated reaching the postseason.

Last week: 12

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, left, celebrates after scoring with quarterback Baker Mayfield against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Win and they’re not only in the playoffs but take the NFC South title as well.   

Last week: 14

13. Houston Texans (9-7)

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)

The AFC South champions looked anything but ready for playoff football after a brutal 31-2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week. They’ll have an easy opportunity to rebound in their final game against the Titans before the wild-card round. 

Last week: 11

14. Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow celebrates after an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Cincinnati, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

The Bengals are certainly in it. They need some help, but Joe Burrow, who is having an MVP-caliber season, needs to do his part to make their case for the playoffs.

Last week: 17

15. Denver Broncos (9-7)

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton walks off the field following an NFL football game against the Bengals in Cincinnati, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

What once looked like a miracle season is spiraling into a familiar nightmare for the Broncos with their playoff hopes on the line in the final week against the Chiefs. Still, the Broncos haven’t played awful, catching some tough breaks in their last two losses, and they could easily wipe away any anxiety of an epic collapse by fans with an easy win over the Chiefs backups, if Kansas City rests their starters in a meaningless Week 18 game.

Last week: 13

16. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

First-year head coach Mike MacDonald was hoping to see himself in the playoffs with his squad, but unfortunately, their win over the Chicago Bears to remain in contention wasn’t enough. The Rams got the strength of schedule tie-break wins they needed from four different teams on Sunday, rendering the Seahawks’ Week 18 matchup against them obsolete. The Seahawks, despite a solid record at 9-7, are eliminated from the playoffs.

Last week: 15

17. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

They must beat the Panthers to remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, but they need the Bucs to lose to get in.

Last week: 16

18. Miami Dolphins (8-8)

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill smiles during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

It’s almost inconceivable that the Dolphins still have a chance to make the playoffs heading into Week 18, but here we are. They would probably be the worst of the 14 postseason teams if they got in, but it would be quite an accomplishment, nonetheless.

Last week: 18

19. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy walks off the field after a loss to the Detroit Lions in an NFL football game on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

This matchup with the Lions was supposed to be a thrilling rematch of the NFC Championship Game in January, but this is a much different San Fran squad in 2024 compared to the conference winners from last season. Detroit will be battling for the No. 1 seed in the NFC while the 49ers continue to put this season to bed after dealing with injuries, inconsistent play and some tough breaks throughout a tumultuous year.

Last week: 20

20. Arizona Cardinals (7-9)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray answers questions after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Alex Gallardo)

The Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention last week after falling to the Carolina Panthers, but they had the chance to play spoiler on Saturday night against the Rams. While the division rivals duked it out and Trey McBride finally found the end zone, the trusty tight end couldn’t haul in another from Kyler Murray, who was picked off late in the fourth quarter to end it.

Last week: 21

21. Dallas Cowboys (7-9)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush throws a pass against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

The Cowboys played hard down the stretch despite having little to play for, but against the Eagles they were simply outclassed. The big question for the Cowboys is the future of head coach Mike McCarthy. Will Jerry Jones spare McCarthy for another year as quarterback Dak Prescott hasn’t played since the beginning of November? Or will Jones make a change and move on after five seasons with McCarthy?

Last week: 19

22. Indianapolis Colts (7-9)

New York Giants defenders sack Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco and cause a fumble to end the Colts’ final drive in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The Colts suffered a shocking playoff-eliminating loss to the struggling New York Giants, prompting serious questions about the inevitable changes to come this offseason, although Giants fans may have been more disappointed by the outcome. 

Last week: 22

23. Chicago Bears (4-12)

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams reacts after an incomplete pass attempt during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

The Bears’ offense looked like they were finding it. And then they scored only three points at home. They need to take a long look in the mirror this offseason and take a look at what’s wrong because they cannot let Caleb Williams go to waste.

Last week: 24

24. Carolina Panthers (4-12)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is sacked by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Last weekend’s blowout loss to Tampa Bay kind of ruins the narrative they’re improving.

Last week: 23

25. New Orleans Saints (5-11)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler (18) walks off the field after getting sacked during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

They rallied for a while under interim coach Darren Rizzi, but it was only temporary.

Last week: 26

26. Las Vegas Raiders (4-12)

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan OConnell runs off the field after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

What a time to start winning. In a matter of weeks, the Raiders have gone from the No. 1 overall pick to potentially falling out of the top 10 if they decide to keep trying next week against the Chargers. It might be enough to save Antonio Pierce’s job or end it, depending on how ownership views the situation.

Last week: 29

27. New York Jets (4-12)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers sits on the bench during the first half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Few teams are happier to see the NFL turn to its final week than the New York Jets. Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner are voicing their displeasure on social media and Aaron Rodgers is heading into another “will he, won’t he” offseason. The drama never ends in New York, even as its season comes to an end.

Last week: 25

28. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., left, and quarterback Mac Jones celebrate a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

The Jaguars may join the laundry list of NFL teams looking for a new head coach after a disappointing season, which closes against division rival Tennessee on Sunday. Doug Pederson himself acknowledged the woeful outcome, saying, “Everybody’s disappointed, everybody feels it. Obviously, I’m the one in charge of it.”

Last week: 32

29. Tennessee Titans (3-13)

Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph dives for extra yards past Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead (91) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The Titans close the season against Houston on Sunday with what will be the franchise’s third straight losing season, but a loss will match their 2014 record for the most losses in Titans history since their move to Tennessee.

Last week: 28

30. New England Patriots (3-13)

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye walks on the field prior to an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Thanks to a Christmas gift from the New York Giants in the form of a win over the Colts, the Patriots jumped to the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. All they need to do is lose in Week 18 to Buffalo to “earn” that spot. They should do everything they can to ensure that happens.

Last week: 27

31. Cleveland Browns (3-13)

Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) is pressured by Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Try again next year.

Last week: 30

32. New York Giants (3-13)

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers scores a touchdown ahead of Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

The good news? The New York Giants finally won a game. The bad news? The New York Giants won a game. The Giants stunned the Colts, ending their chance at making the playoffs on Sunday, but in the same breath took themselves out of the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft. While fans may be upset, coaches and players don’t care about tanking. They are coaching and playing for their jobs. One bright side for upset Giants fans about the win is that rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is already a star.

Last week: 32

The Fox News Digital Sports NFL power rankings were compiled by the Fox News Digital Sports staff and the OutKick.com staff.

The Lakers were again buried under an avalanche of Cleveland Cavaliers three-pointers, the spacing and the gaps on the court pulling the Lakers’ defense to all corners before it eventually snapped under tension.

The result was the same, but the process and team the Cavaliers beat Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena in the final game of 2024 was fundamentally different from the one they blew out on Oct. 30 in Cleveland.

The version of the Lakers that got smoked in Cleveland was the one trying to get the most out of a formula that had shown it has a ceiling, losing to the Denver Nuggets during the previous two postseasons. It was one that hoped a core of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell paired with a new coach could find another gear, another level.

This week the Lakers decided that vision wouldn’t end well. This week the Lakers, at the very least, fundamentally changed.

While the team with the NBA’s best record swatted every Lakers push away, usually with some combination of backbreaking threes from Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley or reserve Max Strus, the Lakers showed glimpses of the ways they’ll be different. For better or worse? That remains to be seen.

Reaves, again seeing his volume of shots spike with Russell now playing for the Brooklyn Nets, led the Lakers with 35 points and 10 assists, bouncing back from a bad first shift. Davis had 28 points and 13 rebounds. And James, playing for the first time since turning 40, scored 23.

But Cleveland took 11 more threes than the Lakers and made nine more. They scored 24 points off offensive rebounds to the Lakers’ 12. And, despite playing Monday in San Francisco, they set the tempo and physicality early as the Lakers quickly trailed by double digits.

Dorian Finney-Smith played 21 minutes in his Lakers debut, scoring on a putback dunk but coming up empty on his other three shots. Shake Milton, playing because guard Gabe Vincent missed Tuesday’s game because of an oblique injury, hit a pair of threes in 10 minutes, but the Lakers’ second unit without Russell was badly outscored 32-12.

Cleveland (29-4), looking very much like a fully-formed team as the calendar flips over to 2025, managed to have five players with at least 15 points led by 27 by Jarrett Allen.

“We certainly had our chances. And I really believe this against teams as good as Cleveland: You have to play close to perfect basketball,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “They’re not gonna let you beat them. They’re not gonna beat themselves.”

The way forward for the Lakers seems like it’s going to have a lot to do with Reaves, the backcourt leader and primary ballhandler in Redick’s offense. That shift, which looked fully realized for the first time in a Christmas win against the Golden State Warriors, got cemented with a 26-point, 16-assist game against the Sacramento Kings that helped the Lakers decide it was OK to trade Russell for Finney-Smith and Milton.

Tuesday, the Lakers got off to a pretty rough start, with Reaves turning the ball over three times in the first six minutes on offense and committing a pair of bad fouls on defense, the Cavaliers going up by as many as 15 in the first quarter.

Laker Rui Hachimura has the ball stripped away by Cavalier Max Struss, right, as Sam Merrill tries to grab the ball at Crypto.com Arena Tuesday.

(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)

“Are you saying I was bad in the first five minutes?” Reaves said in response to a question about his start. “[Because] yeah, I was. Great question. You make good plays, you make bad plays. Unfortunately, I came out and made some really bad plays.

“And I knew that, if we wanted to claw our way back into it and give ourselves an opportunity, then I had to be better.”

He was — he had only one more turnover, tied his career high for points and finished one rebound shy of a triple-double.

“He’s gonna get a lot of opportunities to play on and off ball with actions on it in both ways,” Redick said. “There’s a nature to his game that you have to be willing to live with some of his stuff because of the way he attacks and the change of pace and the quick decisions and the quick bursts, like there’s gonna be some of that and you have to live with that. It’s sort of the unforced stuff [where he] will grow.”

His teammates say they’re on board.

“What’d he have, 36 tonight? 35? … looked good to me,” Davis said. “He’s a hooper. I mean obviously he has a little bit more on his plate with ballhandling responsibilities when Gabe is out and when LeBron is out of the game, but he’s used to it. He’s been in the league long enough now where he knows how to run the point guard position. So it’s going to be more reps. He’s ready for it, and we got the utmost confidence in him to run the point.”

The Lakers, an organization not built on moral victories, left their locker room knowing that a couple of open threes that that rattled in and out might’ve made a difference. There were other issues — namely on defense, where the Lakers were too often out of position and too late to challenge at the three-point line and at the rim. And they were not good enough there to make up for the disadvantage their three-point volume and disparity created.

“Well, we just got to defend. I mean, obviously, we could shoot more threes, but our key to winning will be the defense. And [if] we’re not going to shoot more threes, than we have to defend, which we’ve been doing as of late,” Davis said. “I don’t think we need to jack more threes just to compete with other teams. If our defense is there, we’re running teams off the line, holding them into one shot. We did our job and now we go down and try to score.”

The Lakers think they have the blueprint to start winning games like this, to put themselves in the right positions by the end of the season. Of course, they’ve thought it before too — and they just decided that version of the roster isn’t good enough.

These Lakers (18-14) weren’t good enough either Tuesday. But, as with Reaves, there’s time and room to grow.

“We’re trending in the right direction. Tonight was a good night for us. We just missed a ton of shots. Wide-open looks that we missed. We make half of those, it’s a different game. So, I like where our ballclub is,” Davis said. “… I think we could definitely be better on both ends of the floor, but I’m not disappointed where we are right now.”