Lakers Role Players Spark 5-Game Win Streak

Lakers will enter Monday’s contest against the Nuggets on fire, as they have won five straight and six of their last seven games. 

5 STRAIGHT WINS. THE LAKERS ARE 2 GAMES OUT OF THE 5TH SEED.

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) January 8, 2023

Going on a run like this while Anthony Davis is out is very promising. LeBron has taken over with Davis out, averaging 34/7/7 while shooting an efficient 57.1%. However, it can’t all be on the 38-year-old to step up. 

All season long, the big question has been whether or not LA has enough depth around LeBron and AD. Early on in the season, they did not have a strong rotation. However, the role players are finding their groove and making an impact.

Dennis Schroder has come alive of late and led the Lakers to a big win over the Miami Heat. They came away with a narrow 112-109 victory, where he finished with 32 points and four steals, shooting 8-15 from the field and 4-7 from three.

DENNIS THE MENACE MADE HIM TOUCH EARTH 🤯 pic.twitter.com/dHRWFoPkvB

— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) January 3, 2023

In the 13 games with AD out, he is averaging 17/3/4, shooting 49.3% and 48.3% from downtown. Schroder is making an impact on both ends of the floor and proving to be a valuable point guard.

Thomas Bryant tonight:

29 PTS
14 REB
12-14 FG

First Laker with that statline or better on 85 FG% since Shaq. pic.twitter.com/EpCT7uEraC

— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 8, 2023

Thomas Bryant has also stepped up his game, taking over the starting center spot. Bryant is averaging 17/10/1, shooting 68.1% and 55% from behind the arc. He is a real difference maker, whether it’s grabbing rebounds, finishing at the rim, or competing with the top bigs in the league. Bryant truly does it all for the Lakers, and his impact has been monumental on this run.

Russell Westbrook is only the 2nd player to record 20+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 15+ assists off the bench since starters began to be tracked in 1970-71. pic.twitter.com/6ut9MHUNun

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) January 8, 2023

Russell Westbrook has orchestrated the bench unit to be very productive. Westbrook had 23 points and 15 assists in a win over the Kings. The 6th Man of the Year frontrunner’s impact is undeniable, and they will need him to continue playing at a high level. 

Patrick Beverley has improved as well after an abysmal start offensively. Beverley is averaging 8/3/3 over his last 13, shooting 50.6% and 47.8% over that stretch.

Complementing the rest of the roster have been Troy Brown Jr, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Wenyen Gabriel, and Max Christie. This group has played quality defense for the LakeShow and is always making the hustle plays.

After starting the season 3-10, with a number of tough losses in competitive games, the Lakers got Thomas Bryant and Dennis Schröder back from respective thumb injuries.

LAL have gone 16-11 since, despite being without Anthony Davis for the last 12.5 games.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 8, 2023

They have also been without Austin Reaves and Lonnie Walker IV, two integral rotational players. The Lakers are proving that they can win even when the stars and other key pieces are out. They could make a run in the West when they get back to full strength.