Players entering the league’s health and safety protocol have decimated the Los Angeles Lakers‘ roster, and the team has used players who aren’t normally in the rotation.
The lack of chemistry between the players on the court has affected both the offense and the defense, but the Lakers sputtered on defense Thursday by allowing the San Antonio Spurs to go off for 138 points.
That might not have been the case if the Lakers had a healthier roster.
LeBron James, who scored 36 points to lead all scorers in the loss, explained why the Lakers need the defensive players who are out.
“We don’t need a full roster; we just need a lot of our guys back,” James said after the loss. “All our defensive guys are in health and safety protocol: Avery (Bradley), Baze (Kent Bazemore), TA (Trevor Ariza) and Austin (Reaves). That’s all our defensive guys. We got a couple more, but those are our guys.”
The Lakers are ranked 11th in defensive rating, but the team is also missing Anthony Davis, the anchor in the paint for the unit. Davis will be out for at least four weeks with an MCL injury, and the Lakers don’t have adequate size to replace Davis’ production at both ends.
Ariza was the most recent Laker to enter protocol, but the other players should be almost done with their time.
The Lakers have dealt with consistency issues all season, and these setbacks are a huge reason the team can’t find the footing it needs to contend for a title.
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Lakers player grades: L.A. blown out by Spurs in final game under Staples Center name
