The Los Angeles Lakers announced that Jake LaRavia (left quad contusion) is available for their game against the Chicago Bulls on Monday night after originally being listed as questionable. The game is the fourth of the Lakers’ eight-game Grammy road trip with the team getting off to a 2-1 start.
Initially coming off the bench to start the season, LaRavia has been a starter for the last 14 games, emerging as a solid defender and shooter who can affect the game in many ways. LaRavia is also the only Lakers player to suit up in every game so far this season and that streak will continue on in Chicago.
The 24-year-old is coming off a strong outing for the Lakers in their victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. He finished with 13 points and six rebounds, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers in the comeback win and has been excellent as a starter for this team. In 23 starts this season, LaRavia is averaging 11.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 steals while shooting 46.9% from the field and 35.1% from 3-point range.
Of course, there were concerns about the Lakers even being able to make it to Chicago for the game as the major ice and snow storms throughout the country threatened to leave them stranded in Dallas, even forcing a cancellation of the game on Sunday between the Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks. But thankfully, the Lakers were able to avoid that and will be at near full strength in Chicago.
Austin Reaves (left calf strain) and Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain) remain out, though Reaves continues to inch closer to a return. He has slowly been ramping up activity and is still expected to return for the Lakers at some point during this road trip.
This game against the Bulls will not be an easy one for the Lakers as Chicago is on a hot streak right now, having won four straight games including three consecutive victories over strong teams in the Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Clippers. The Lakers will need to be locked in if they plan on continuing their strong start to their biggest road trip of the year.
Rui Hachimura willing to remain in reserve role for the Lakers
LaRavia has remained in the starting lineup despite the return to health of Hachimura, who has been the team’s frontcourt starter for multiple years now. But Hachimura made it clear that he is enjoying the reserve role and has no problems coming off the bench for this team.
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