The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a blowout 139-96 loss at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night. While this is already worrisome, LeBron James addressed some serious concerns that could affect the team’s performance in the postseason.
Despite the blowout loss, the Lakers (50-27) are set to make an appearance in the playoffs. Still, with Luka Doncic suffering a hamstring injury and Marcus Smart sidelined with an ankle injury, LeBron James spoke about L.A.’s injury issues heading into the playoffs.
“There’s never a time to get comfortable in this league,” James stated. “The only thing we do know is that we won’t be in the play-in [tournament]. So, we have that week. But health is wealth. We’re already out with Marcus right now, and now Luka. We don’t know what the timetable is. We’ll see.”
Before Thursday night’s game, the Los Angeles Lakers were among the hottest teams in the league. Aside from logging a 9-1 record in their last 10 outings, the Purple and Gold had logged a 15-2 record in March, asserting their status as a genuine title contender.
The two losses the Lakers suffered in their last 10 outings have coincidentally been against the top teams in each conference, with the loss against the shorthanded Detroit Pistons stinging harder now.
Still, as the third-seeded team in the West, the Lakers are in a solid position heading into the postseason. However, considering how vital a healthy roster has been for the team’s success lately, the Purple and Gold can only hope that Marcus Smart and Luka Doncic recover in time for the first round.
LeBron James Prays For Luka Doncic’s Recovery
Luka Doncic looked uncomfortable as he was holding his hamstring at the end of the first half. Given the team’s 32-point deficit heading into the second half, the Lakers took a risk by sending Doncic back in after he was cleared to play.
In an unfortunate turn of events, Doncic strained his hamstring while going up for a shot attempt and was forced to sit out the remainder of the game, hinting at the worst for Los Angeles.
Doncic’s frustration while limping to the locker room mirrored the worries of all Lakers fans. On that note, while speaking with the media after the game, LeBron James could only wish Doncic a speedy recovery.
“When you have an MVP candidate on your team, the last thing you want to see is somebody go down with a hamstring injury,” LeBron James stated. “So pray for the best and a speedy recovery.”
Losing Doncic at this point in the season could prove catastrophic for the Purple and Gold. After a dominant display in March to improve his case in the MVP race, Doncic was undoubtedly the driving force behind the Lakers’ success.
With averages of 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game, compensating for Doncic’s absence will prove to be a task. However, with LeBron James and Austin Reaves still around, the Lakers may need to lean on the duo to produce victories and close out the season on a high note.
