USA Today via Reuters
Oct 20, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham (left) and forward LeBron James (6) react in the fourth quarter against the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. The Clippers defeated the Lakers 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Oct 20, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham (left) and forward LeBron James (6) react in the fourth quarter against the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. The Clippers defeated the Lakers 103-97. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers need to figure things out. They continued their abysmal form as they lost to the Utah Jazz on Saturday. The Lakers did not have much chance to win that game because they were playing without their superstar, LeBron James. Even though the Purple and Gold lost the last game, it proved a significant game for D’Angelo Russell. The Lakers guard shone in LeBron’s absence and put up a season-high 39-point performance.
The Lakers will face the OKC Thunder tonight. And D’Angelo Russell’s statement game against the Jazz has forced head coach Darvin Ham to reassess their starting line-up amid LeBron James’ return from injury.
Prince back on the King’s day
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Lakers head coach Darvin Ham revealed their starting line-up for tonight’s game against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. LeBron James is making his return tonight after missing the last game due to an ankle injury. He will start the game against OKC alongside D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, and Anthony Davis.
I followed up with Ham after the pregame press conference and he told me he misheard my question and assumed I was asking if they were going back to the starters from last game before I finished asking it. The starters tonight:
LeBron
AD
Prince
Reaves
Russell https://t.co/1uoVGCltT0— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 16, 2024
D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves played some of their career’s best basketball last season. They played with a chip on their shoulders and helped the Lakers reach the Western Conference Finals. But that has not been the case this season. None of the Lakers players except their superstars, Anthony Davis and LeBron James, have been consistent.
So, the Lakers’ new line-up tonight might not prove as effective as last season.
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The Lakers need their role players to step up against OKC tonight
LeBron James and Co. are in the middle of an abysmal run. They are 2-4 this month and might lose another game tonight if their role players do not step up. The OKC Thunder are one of the best teams in the league this season. They are currently ranked 2nd in the Western Conference with a 27-11 record. And it will be difficult for the Lakers to beat OKC, only relying on LeBron and AD’s performance. D’Angelo and Reaves had a great game against the Jazz on Saturday, and Darvin Ham expects them to perform the same way in tonight’s game.
If D’Angelo comes anywhere close to his 39-point performance and the Lakers superstar duo continue what they have been doing all season, Ham’s team might come out with a win.
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Do you believe Darvin Ham’s move will work against the OKC Thunder tonight?
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