The Los Angeles Lakers have been navigating one of the more turbulent stretches of their season. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both went down to injury within days of each other, and the losses were devastating. The team dropped three straight games before a much needed win on Thursday against the Golden State Warriors. With both likely to miss the first round, the playoff picture suddenly looks a lot more daunting.
On Friday night, at least, the Lakers looked like a team that refuses to fold. The Lakers held the Phoenix Suns to just 73 points in a dominant 101-73 victory at home, their best defensive performance of the season. Phoenix managed only 25 points in the second half and nine in the fourth quarter as Los Angeles imposed its will from start to finish.
The win, combined with the Houston Rockets losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves, secured a top-4 seed in the Western Conference and home-court advantage in the first round for JJ Redick‘s team. Given everything this roster has absorbed, that is a meaningful accomplishment.
After the game, LeBron James addressed what this run has required of him.
LeBron Steps Back Into a Familiar Role
GettyLeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.
James has been carrying the Lakers offensively since his two co-stars went down, and the numbers reflect it. Over the last three games, he has averaged 28 points, 12.7 assists, and 7.7 rebounds while shooting 60 percent from the floor and over 46 percent from three. The production has been exceptional by any standard.
After Friday’s win, James was candid about what the moment has asked of him.
“I had to tap back into a role that I’ve been accustomed to in the past,” James said. “I’m just trying to feed off my teammates and my teammates feeding off of me. I’m just trying to make things happen for us to stay afloat.”
The words carried the weight of someone who has done this before. James has been the primary option on playoff-contending teams for over two decades. The role is familiar even if the circumstances are not ideal. Against the Suns on Friday, he led all scorers with 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting to go with 12 assists, six rebounds, and four steals in 32 minutes.
Supporting Cast Steps Up Around LeBron
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard.
James has not been doing it alone. Luke Kennard has taken on a larger playmaking role since Doncic and Reaves went down, delivering another strong performance with 19 points, three assists, and three steals against Phoenix. Rui Hachimura contributed 13 points while knocking down two threes as Los Angeles shot 40 percent from deep as a team.
Marcus Smart also made his return after missing nine games, providing an immediate lift off the bench. In 18 minutes, he finished with six points, seven assists, five rebounds, two steals, and a block. The hustle plays and defensive awareness his team had been missing were visible from his first minutes back on the floor.
Final Word for the Lakers
Securing home-court advantage without two of your three best players is not something many teams could manage. The Lakers did it on the strength of LeBron’s best stretch of basketball this season and a supporting cast that has answered the call.
The bigger question now is whether Doncic and Reaves will be back in time. Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Utah Jazz closes the book on the regular season. The playoffs begin shortly after.
LeBron can only do so much.
Lakers’ LeBron James Sends Strong Message After Dominant Win