The Los Angeles Lakers have been on a roll recently, winning five out of their last six games, even managing victories without LeBron James on the court. Following adjustments, the Lakers' defense has become the second most efficient in the league over their last ten games. Anthony Davis has been pivotal, not only scoring but also leading by example with his defensive efforts.
In their latest game against the Sacramento Kings, which James missed, the Lakers still managed a significant win, demonstrating the excellent performance of role players such as Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves, and Kendrick Nunn, who all had breakout performances. Together, they scored a combined total of 84 points, 24 rebounds, and 24 assists, leading to a victory that proves the team's recent signings were a gamble that paid off.
Firstly, the Lakers have swept the Kings this season, winning all four matchups. Prior to this season, Davis had a 0-10 record against Domantas Sabonis, but he has now broken that curse. In the recent game, Davis scored 36 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and provided 8 assists (the highest in both points and rebounds), while Sabonis had 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists. Davis emphasized the importance of defense in an interview, stating that he told his teammates to focus on improving their defensive efforts against the fast-paced opponents.
Secondly, with James absent, the trio of Davis, Reaves, and Hachimura stepped up, combining for 84 points, 24 rebounds, and 24 assists to secure a win. The Lakers are seeing more and more role players step up to score efficiently. Reaves and Hachimura have been particularly hot, with Reaves setting a new career-high with 16 assists in a single game. Over his last seven games since returning, Reaves has averaged 20.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.2 steals, showing his sharp playmaking skills.
Thirdly, the Lakers announced that DeAndre Jordan will return for their next game. Jordan has played well this season but has been sidelined due to injury. His return will help alleviate some of the pressure on Davis in the paint. After defeating the Kings, the Lakers' record improved to fifth in the Western Conference, tied with the Clippers at 18 wins and 13 losses. With nine upcoming home games and only three away, the Lakers will face teams like the Cavaliers, Rockets, Mavericks, Spurs, Heat, and Clippers.
Fourthly, rookie Kendrick Nunn has rediscovered his form and is playing better. After a period of shooting struggles, Nunn has been performing well off the bench, scoring 18 points in one game, 13 points with 7 rebounds in another, and 14 points with 3 rebounds in yet another. He has been changing his approach, attacking the basket more and making key scores, proving that he is not just a pure shooter but also capable of scoring inside.
Lastly, Christie has been consistently breaking out and playing more aggressively. In the game against the Kings, Christie shot 5 for 8, scoring 16 points with 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block, with no turnovers. Christie is not only scoring efficiently but also contributing with strong defense, showcasing his 3D capabilities. According to Lakers reporters, Christie has averaged 16.3 points over his last three games, with a shooting percentage of 51.6% and a three-point percentage of 47%, averaging 2.8 three-pointers per game. Who said the Lakers' four-year, $32 million contract extension for Christie was a loss? This signing has clearly been a winning bet.