If there has been a team in the NBA this season that has probably had to deal with more injuries than usual, and that too for multiple players, it would have to be the Los Angeles Lakers. They may pose to be a setback with key players no longer in the active lineup. The Lakers fans were heartbroken at the recent health updates of the team. A fan online wrote, “Just when we was finally getting some wins“, indicating their recent record. But LeBron James, who is widely considered the main star of the franchise, appears to be struggling with a healthy, supporting cast.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, both Austin Reaves and Lonnie Walker IV would miss several games due to their respective injuries.
More injuries spell trouble for the Lakers
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Charania wrote, “Lakers? Austin Reaves will be re-evaluated in two weeks due to a left hamstring strain, the team says. Lonnie Walker IV will also miss at least two weeks due to left knee tendinitis“.
NBA Twitter was soon flooded with commentary regarding the Lakers’ susceptibility to injuries. They pointed out that the team had been dealing with this for a long time now.
Here are some reactions from NBA Twitter:
And just when we was finally getting some wins pic.twitter.com/xZDytZj3al
— Hostility (Suns Downfall) (@hostbewylin) January 6, 2023
It’s over pic.twitter.com/6DsRrotbjv
— BIN* !i (@BinAffleck) January 6, 2023
https://twitter.com/HonestGonTroll/status/1611423105968218112?s=20&t=Y5Gjk3S5uSEN94tlldKu1A
Can LeBron catch a break….
— LBJ (@BronsBurnerrr) January 6, 2023
Now we see why lakers are looking into 10 contracts
— The Lakers Chip (@Lakerschipp) January 6, 2023
i hate it here pic.twitter.com/fz0wU0U2hy
— daltino 🍜 (@MajinDaltino) January 6, 2023
According to Yahoo Sports, Walker missed the last three games as well. He has averaged 14.7 points and 2.3 rebounds. While Austin Reaves has averaged 10.8 points and 3.1 rebounds this season. Both their injury reports came in after a dismal blow to the team last month. Anthony Davis has been sidelined due to his foot injury with no specific date for his return, and the team may require others on the roster to step up.
As Sports Illustrated noted that without these players, “the Los Angeles Lakers are missing close to half of their nightly scoring production“.
LeBron James has also missed a few games
The 38-year-old superstar has also missed a few games this season. Starting with a left groin strain, to rolling his ankle, to a left adductor strain, to the recent common cold, Lebron James has battled it out against his injuries as much as his opponents so far.
James has been averaging 34.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.0 assists in the last 11 games. The four-time NBA champion was listed as probable for tonight’s game against the Atlanta Hawks.
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Head coach Darvin Ham addressed the team’s injuries. He seemed confident that it was a “challenge” for him in this “period of discovery”. Ham added, “I?m looking at another opportunity to see what we have and what combinations we can throw out there so upon his [AD] return…”
But does his optimism translate to playoffs, something that both LeBron James and Lakers fans ardently desire? It will be interesting to see if the Lakers look at any trade options to try and bolster the squad. The Lakers are currently the 12th seed on?the Western Conference table with a 17-21 record.
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Will the Lakers make the playoffs this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.