Employing their fifth different starting lineup in five consecutive games and bouncing back from a tough first quarter, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks, 109-94 on Sunday night before embarking on a four-game roadtrip with two back-to-backs.
The second unit, once again led by Lou Williams (21 points) and Jordan Clarkson (18 points), started the second quarter on a 22-6 run and turned an 11-point deficit into a five-point lead.
After the game, head coach Luke Walton explains his decision to insert Thomas Robinson into the starting lineup, after primarily only playing garbage minutes to start the season. Walton says the Lakers second unit has “become one of the best groups of five, starters or bench, all season long in the NBA.”
Tarik Black (seven points and eight rebounds) and Lou Williams talk about why it’s so simple for that second unit to sacrifice for one another, which has been one of the keys to their success. Robinson says the success of that Lakers bench has become part of their identity.
Luke Walton
Lou Williams
Thomas Robinson
Tarik Black
