Lakers fall to Kings in LeBron James’ return.
The Lakers were more than happy to see the return of LeBron James to the lineup who missed the previous 20 games due to a high ankle sprain that sidelined him since March 21st. The anticipated return of LeBron James was spoiled as the Lakers weren’t able to come out with a win at home in tonight’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings, losing 110–106. With tonight’s loss, the Lakers record moves to 36–27 still keeping them in 5th place as the 7th and 8th seed play-in spot looms for Los Angeles. After tonight’s loss Frank Vogel expressed his disappointment in the defeat, but explained how hopeful he was with the new three of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Andre Drummond:
“I’m very disappointed in the loss, but encouraged about what those three are going to look like together.”
In LeBron James’ welcome back, he had zero minute restrictions, immediately playing his regular minutes in his return back from injury. In 31 minutes, James finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. It was known just like Anthony Davis’ return that James would come back slightly rusty from being absent for six weeks. James was able to finish with a solid 50% from the field, going 6 for 12 total but struggled from the three going 1 for 5 (20%). One of those missed three’s came in the final seconds with the Lakers down two and LeBron went for the win and hit the back iron. James spoke on how his ankle felt in tonight’s game, explaining some tightness in his ankle:
“As far as my wind, I felt pretty good. As far as my ankle, it was a little tight at times, but as the games go on that will continue to improve.”
In Anthony Davis’ 5th game back from injury he had arguably his best performance since returning to the lineup. In 34 minutes of action, Davis finished with a Laker high 22 points and a solid 11 rebounds to give him his 9th double-double of the season. From the field, Davis shot 47.3% going 9 for 19 total, and added 5 blocks with 4 of them coming in the 2nd quarter alone. After tonight’s loss Davis spoke of the defeat and Lakers struggles saying:
“We know we’re going to be fine. It’s an adjustment period.”
Despite finishing with a solid 50.6% (42–83) from the field the Lakers had one of their worst outings shooting from the perimeter, finishing 7 for 28 from three. Despite their struggles from deep, the Lakers finished with their 2nd most blocks in a game this season ending in tonight’s loss with 12. One area that made things go in Sacramento’s favor was the committed turnovers from the Lakers as they finished with 21, tying their 4th most this season.
Dennis Schröder quietly had one of his worst games in a Lakers uniform in tonight’s loss. Schröder struggled to find his rhythm shooting going 4 for 13 from the field and 0 for 5 from three. In 36 minutes, Schröder finished with 8 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 5 turnovers with a game-high plus/minus of -19.
The Lakers’ margin for error is getting thinner and thinner as the Portland Trailblazers and Dallas Mavericks are trailing right behind the Lakers in the West to possibly push them back in the standings to the 7th seed. The Lakers’ last 9 games in the regular season are definitely must-win games as the race for seed change is within games. The Lakers’ next two matchups come at home in a back-to-back this Sunday and Monday against the Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets.