Despite seeing all three of their top players deal with various injuries, the Los Angeles Lakers are off to an 8-3 start that has them fourth in the Western Conference and looking like a legitimate title contender. The most notable of those absences has been LeBron James not playing yet due to a sciatica issue.
James was cleared for basketball activities last week and on Wednesday was assigned to the franchise’s NBA G League affiliate, South Bay, where he will participate in his first full practice of the season, including 5-on-5 play, as he works toward his return to the floor.
On top of James sitting out all 11 games, Luka Dončić has missed four games with a lower leg injury and Austin Reaves sat out three games last week with groin soreness. However, when those two have played, they’ve been spectacular to step up in James’ absence. Dončić averages a ridiculous 37.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game, while Reaves averages 30.3 points, 9.0 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game.
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Brad Botkin
Beyond those two stars, the Lakers have gotten great play from Rui Hachimura and all three of their major offseason acquisitions. Deandre Ayton looks good as the starting center, averaging 16.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, Jake LaRavia brought them much-needed 3-point shooting off the bench and Marcus Smart has given them an edge on the defensive end and another ball-handler when Reaves and Dončić are off the floor.
Even with lineup instability due to injuries, the Lakers are thriving on offense and have managed to cobble together a league average…
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