The Los Angeles Lakers were able to take down the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of their first round playoff series despite being without their two leading scorers in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. There still is no concrete timeline for either to return as they deal with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and Grade 2 left oblique injury respectively, but just because they can’t play doesn’t mean they’re not around.
Reaves has remained around the team and Doncic has done the same since returning from Spain for treatment on his hamstring. Both were at practice on Monday and head coach JJ Redick noted how good it was to have the entire team together over the past couple days.
“It’s been nice, it’s been really nice,” Redick said after practice. “[Doncic] definitely rebounded and passed on some shooting drills. I think having the group together two out of the last three days has been really nice.”
The chemistry and camaraderie on this team has been excellent all season long and it is little things like this that allow them to grow closer together as a unit. The energy that Doncic and Reaves provide when they’re around just lifts the spirits of everyone and helps to instill confidence in the entire squad, which this team needs as they try and pull off the upset.
It took a total team effort for the Lakers to get a victory in Game 1, but they will need to continue that level of play, and be even better to win the series. LeBron James was exactly the leader this team needed and got everyone involved while Luke Kennard was unconscious shooting the ball and the entire team was locked in defensively.
Obviously, Doncic and Reaves can’t contribute on the court right now, but this shows that it is about the Lakers as a whole first and foremost. The entire group is locked in on accomplishing a goal together and even while they are out with injury, those two are still around supporting the team in any way they can.
LeBron James discusses his adaptability to give Lakers whatever they need
James is back in his familiar role as the primary creator on offense for this Lakers team and he was more of a facilitator than scorer in the Game 1 victory. And the superstar made it clear that he enters each game prepared to give the Lakers whatever they need based on the situation at hand, knowing he can adapt his game in order to get the win.
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