Los Angeles Lakers get double-dose of terrible injury news
By Ian Levy
Injuries have played a major part in the Los Angeles Lakers struggles this season and, unfortunately, the hits just keep on coming.
The Lakers just can’t seem to avoid the injury bug this season. LeBron James has already missed nine games. Anthony Davis has played just 25 games and is out indefinitely with a stress injury in his foot. Thomas Bryant, who has been a revelation, wasn’t available until the middle of November and now two other key pieces will miss some time.
Shams Charania is reporting that the Lakers are likely to be without Austin Reaves and Lonnie Walker for the next few weeks.
Who will take the place of Austin Reaves and Lonnie Walker in the Los Angeles Lakers rotation?
Reaves has been averaging 28.9 minutes per game this season providing value as a floor-spacer and offensive connector. Lonnie Walker is an athletic playmaker who is averaging 14.7 points in 29.8 minutes per game. Both will be tough to lose with Davis already out and Russell Westbrook, Damian Jones, LeBron James and Troy Brown listed as day-to-day with different injuries.
In the absence of Reaves and Walker, it’s likely Dennis Schroder will continue to see a lot of extra minutes. He’s averaging 36.0 minutes per game over his last four, putting up 18.5 points, 4.5 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals. In addition, Troy Brown and Patrick Beverley may have some extra minutes with Kendrick Nunn or Max Christie even entering the rotation.
The other option is for the Lakers to look at a 10-day contract to help fill the gap. 10-day contracts can be signed as of Thursday and there are plenty of guards and wings available who could help until Reaves and Walker are back.
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