Lebron James to Lead New-Look Lakers in Matchup vs. Mavericks
All eyes will be set on 41-year-old LeBron James while the Los Angeles Lakers (50-27) take on the Dallas Mavericks (24-53) on Easter Sunday.
At what first appeared as another game against a below .500 team, the Lakers won’t have Luka Doncic nor Austin Reaves for the rest of the regular season.
Doncic suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain, and Austin Reaves was dealt a Grade 2 oblique strain in their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.
LeBron James Steps Up For Injury-Plagued Lakers
With Doncic and Reaves out, LeBron James will have to play an increased role for the foreseeable future.
Through 56 games this season, James is averaging 20.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.9 assists while having 51.1/31.3/74.4 shooting splits. These numbers will need to improve if the Lakers still want to be considered contenders in the West.
Are the Lakers Still a Contender in the West?
Without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers won’t have their top two scorers for the remainder of the regular season.
Doncic and Reaves combine for 56.8 of the Lakers’ 116.5 points, the team’s average on the season. Just about half of their point scoring on the season will be on the sidelines for the time being.
In a tight-knit Western Conference, the Lakers hold a half-game lead on the Denver Nuggets for the three-seed. Denver beat the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, and now it’s Los Angeles’ turn to show what they have.
It’s tough to envision the Lakers going far in the playoffs without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Holding on to their position in the standings will be pivotal for who they take on in the first round.
Role Players Look to Step up For Lakers
Someone or multiple people will need to take on the opportunity that’s been given due to injuries. Will it be Rui Hachimura, who is playing for a new contract as he is set to hit free agency this summer?
Maybe Deandre Ayton will finally show the true potential he has in a rocky first season with the Lakers? Ayton has a $8.1 million player option that will determine what’s next for the 27-year-old this summer.
Marcus Smart remains out for the Lakers on Sunday while he continues to recover from an ankle impingement. But he gets back on the court, JJ Redick will need to lean on the veteran guard after taking such a hit in the backcourt.
It may not be pretty, but this is what Laker basketball has come to. With one week remaining in the regular season, they’ll have to figure it out.
