Here is what you need to know before the Lakers start the season’s longest road trip against the Golden State Warriors.
1) Lakers will have to do it without the King
LeBron James will rest against the Warriors after ending his five-week injury absence just in time to lead the Lakers to a key victory over the Clippers on Thursday.
He put up 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists, pulling the Lakers just one game behind the Clippers for eighth in the Western Conference standings. LeBron was especially impactful in overtime, when all of the Lakers’ points were either scored by him or stemmed from his passing.
The Lakers are now 21-14 with James in the lineup, yet just 6-11 when he sits.
2) Born Ready stays ready
LeBron was hardly alone in Thursday’s win, as Lance Stephenson provided a needed boost off the bench.
Stephenson dropped 20 points, splashing five 3-pointers along the way and celebrating each with his trademark air guitar celebration.
While Stephenson’s shooting isn’t exactly his hallmark, he has been excellent from outside this season, hitting a team- and career-best 40.1 percent from 3-point range this season.
And Lance’s eruption against the Clippers was a testament to his willingness to stay prepared, as he took advantage of his increased playing time after scoring double figures just there times over the previous 16 games.
3) Golden State remains the team to beat
The Warriors have been on a rampage lately, winning 11 straight before finally falling to Philadelphia on Thursday.
Over these last dozen games, they have averaged a whopping 126.8 points — no surprise considering the firepower on the roster.
Stephen Curry is coming off a 41-point outburst that included 10 3-pointers. The Lakers got a taste of Klay Thompson’s flame throwing two weeks ago, when he dropped 44 points on 17-of-20 shooting and 10-of-11 on 3s.
The Lakers played that game without Rajon Rondo — who was instrumental to their rout over the Warriors on Christmas Day — yet they will still be shorthanded without James or Lonzo Ball.
Injury Report
Lakers:LeBron James (load management) and Lonzo Ball (left ankle sprain) are out. Alex Caruso and Johnathan Williams are on G League assignment.
Warriors: Damian Jones (left pectoral surgery) is out.
Tip-Off: 5:30 p.m. PT
TV: ABC
Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 KWKW
Unis: Gold Icon
Location: Oracle Arena — Oakland, California