“I think we’re in a great spot,” Doncic said. “Obviously, today wasn’t a good game for us, but I think we’re in a great spot. We’ve got to play hard every game to try not to get in the play-in and try to get the highest seed we can.”
The results weren’t good Saturday night, but the Lakers can take solace in having all their rotation players available for the first time in several weeks, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. LeBron James returned after missing seven games with a groin strain, and Rui Hachimura was back after sitting out 10 games with patellar tendinopathy in his left knee.
Saturday’s 146-115 loss to the Bulls dropped L.A. into fourth place in the West, a half-game behind Denver and three ahead of the Clippers and Timberwolves in the battle for a top-six seed and an automatic playoff berth. Coach J.J. Redick said finishing in the top six is his goal for the stretch drive so his team can have a week to rest and prepare for the playoffs.
“I think that’s a good way to look at it. … ground zero,” Redick said. “These next 12 games, you’ve got to refind your way. It’s a perpetually flowing river that we’ve all of a sudden run into a beaver’s (dam) … and we got to get ready to get the water flowing again.”
James logged 31 minutes in his first game action in two weeks. After finishing with 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals, he told reporters that he’s taking it “day by day” in his recovery process.
Hachimura, who had five points and two rebounds in 18 minutes, said his knee is only about “70-80%.” He’s expected to be on a restriction of 20-24 minutes per game for the rest of the season.
“My knee is going to be like that for a while, I think,” he said. “I can’t really get back to 100% right away. I got to rest for a long time to get back to normal. But I don’t think we have that, so we just got to maintain and manage it.”
Continuity appeared to be an issue for the Lakers on Saturday as they turned in their worst defensive performance of the season and committed 21 turnovers, including five by James and seven by Luka Doncic. They were outscored 81-53 in the second half, and the 146 total points they surrendered matches a franchise record for a non-overtime home game, according to Josh Dubow of The Associated Press (Twitter link).
McMenamin points out that the Lakers are entering another tough portion of their schedule as they fight for playoff seeding. They’ll start a four-game trip Monday in Orlando and will play eight of their last 12 on the road. They have three back-to-backs left and just four games remaining against teams that aren’t in the top eight of either conference.
Not fully healthy … Kleber.
Brawny Stargazer was a team-worst -27 over 31 minutes in his first game back – sounds about right.
Damn king u really dunked on that 20 year old lol
You mean FORTY year old? Brawny Stargazer, a.k.a Brawny Sensation….not Bronny James Jr. Even BJJ doesn’t have plus-minuses that bad.
Damn king you really dunked on that 40 year old lmao
Just stating facts, Jack. That plus-minus stat category is so damn telling. Look past Brawny’s fluff….and there won’t BE much. You can borrow that line if you like. Stay tuned for plus-minus info on an even wider scale. I should have something for you guys in a few weeks.
Lakers having a solid year. Just not convinced they are ready for a playoff run. First round matchup will tell a lot.
Flawless game by Chi
Sure the Lakers stunk but Chi was awesome last night and deserved that W
Available and on the court isn’t really “fully healthy”.
Getting fully healthy by next month has to happen for them to get out of the 1st rd.