Every professional sports league has a period in its schedule where teams aren’t playing their best, and right now the NBA is right in the middle of that period (December-January). And the Los Angeles Lakers appear to be this year’s poster boy, entering Christmas Week plagued by inconsistency and banged up.
Lakers Head Into Christmas Week With Several Injury Concerns, What Does It Mean & When Could Players Return
Los Angeles entered December with the Western Conference’s second-best record at 15-5. But the Lakers fell to 4-4 this month following a concerning loss to cross-town rivals, the Clippers, last night.
The Lakers were never truly in last night’s game, as they got down big early, scoring only 15 points in the first quarter. The Lakers, who never led in the game, trailed by as many as 22 and outscored the Clippers 27-23 to make the final score even remotely respectable. They shot just 39% from the field, including 6 of 38 from deep (16%).
The 88 points are a season low and are the second time the Lakers failed to reach the century mark. But their recent stretch does bring some concerns. With the loss, the Lakers fell to fourth place in the conference, though their +1.2 scoring margin is tied with Golden State for sixth best in the conference. All eight of their losses have been by double-digits.
LA has not been as efficient offensively during this eight-game stretch, averaging 114.1 points, nearly 4 points below their season average, and shooting 47.1% from the floor — they are shooting 50% from the field, the second-best in the league. However, it is on defense where the Lakers have struggled the most. Over this stretch, the Lakers’ defensive rating is five points higher than their season average as they have permitted 120 or more points on five occassions. Their opponents are shooting 48% from the field and 38.5% from deep over the last eight contests.
Lakers Dealing With Plenty Of Injuries
Granted, the Lakers entered the game shorthanded. The Lakers were without three starters against the Clippers, and Luka Dončić left the contest after just 20 minutes of playing time with a left leg contusion. LeBron James led the way with a season-high 36 points on 15 of 28 shooting.
“I saw him hobbling towards the end of the first half. He came to me at halftime and said he couldn’t go,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said after the game. “… I don’t have any other information.”
It is unknown the severity of Dončić’s injury. He could miss a few days to a month, depending on the severity of the contusion. So, until the Lakers give an update, consider Dončić at least questionable for their game against Phoenix on Tuesday. A source familiar with the injury told ESPN that it occurred in a collision with Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic.
If Dončić’s contusion is only mild, he could play against the Suns. However, it is likely the Lakers would hold him out until Christmas Day, when they host Houston. The Lakers are off until the 28th, when they host Sacramento, then Detroit on December 30.
Rui Hachimura, DeAndre Ayton, Austin Reaves, and Gabe Vincent are also dealing with injuries. Hachimura was listed as questionable (groin) yesterday but was later downgraded to out against the Clippers. It was just the second game that Hachimura had missed this season.
Before the game against the Clippers, JJ Redick told ESPN’s Dave McMenimin that he is hopeful that Hachimura can return soon. But don’t expect him to be available to play against the Suns. Depending on the severity of the groin injury, Hachimura could miss at least a week.
“JJ Redick says Rui Hachimura, out tonight with a sore groin, started to feel discomfort in his hip in the UTA game,” McMenimin tweeted. “Redick says the hope is that Hachimura is only out for 3-5 days.”
DeAndre Ayton, Austin Reaves, and Gabe Vincent Updates
Ayton missed the last two games due to left elbow soreness. Reaves has sat out the previous three contests with a mild calf strain. Both players are reportedly making progress. Meanwhile, Vincent also missed his second straight game with back soreness.
So, how will Redick manage if he is shorthanded going forward?
Against the Clippers, Redick paired James and Dončić with Jaxon Hayes, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart. This was the first time this fivesome started together and marked Redick’s 15th different starting lineup of the year. Expect Smart, LaRavia, and Smart to continue to start alongside James, if Ayton, Reaves, and Hachimura remain out.
Hayes has started each game Ayton has missed this season. He has upped his offensive production in the four games. So, he is the most stable of the three players who don’t usually start until Ayton returns. LaRavia has started eight games, with the Lakers going 4-4 in those contests, and will be the first of the trio to head to the bench as the Lakers get back.
Redick’s biggest decision will be whether to play if Dončić can’t. Now, if Reaves or Hachimura can play versus the Suns, Smart would slide over to the point. Otherwise, Redick could go with Jarred Vanderbilt, Dalton Knecht, Nick Smith Jr., or Vincent, if he is healthy.
Vincent has started six games this season, but has struggled with the first unit. Plus, a backcourt of Vincent and Smart doesn’t really provide the defense or playmaking that the Lakers need.
Vanderbilt is the Lakers’ best perimeter defender of the trio of players and one of the team’s better players on that end. Vanderbilt has started two games this season and has played well since rejoining the rotation the past three games.
Knecht has started one game this season. But Knecht hasn’t seen much playing time over the last month and struggles defensively.
While Vanderbilt seems the likely choice, Smith Jr. is also a viable option. Smith Jr. has starting experience and is arguably playing the best basketball of his career. He averages 7.2 points, 1.5 assists, and 1.4 threes in 14.6 minutes over 11 appearances, shooting a career best 43.5% from the field and 41.7% from the 3-point line. However, he is a liability on defense.
Regardless of Redick’s starting lineup choice, the injuries mean that Knecht, Smith Jr., and Vanderbilt will see plenty of time. Maxi Kleber, Adou Thiero, and perhaps even Bronny James could see an increase in minutes. Thiero has played in seven of the last eight games. Bronny James, who has one start, has not played since December 10 and has struggled with the G-League South Bay Lakers.
© Chris Nicoll, Imagn Images
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