Luke Walton Thinks Lakers ‘Showed A Lot Of Growth’ Since Injuries To LeBron James & Rajon Rondo

Dan Duangdao
2 Min Read
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After injuries to LeBron James and Rajon Rondo, the Los Angeles Lakers lost five out of their first six games without them. Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram struggled to take on larger roles, but they’ve rebounded and the team has won two games in a row.

As the young core was adjusting to playing without their two leaders, they either started games off slowly or could not close them out.

With Ingram, Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma and Ball asked to do more, head coach Luke Walton initially felt they were putting more on themselves, but not in a selfish manner.

However, after Walton called out Ingram and Ball following the loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, they have since responded against the Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons.

Along with Kuzma’s return from a lower back contusion, Walton believes the young Lakers have taken a major step.

“I thought our team showed a lot of growth from the post-LeBron and Rondo injuries,” Walton said after the 113-100 win over the Pistons.

“There were times in that game tonight where in previous games we would’ve bled points and what not and started taking quick shots. I thought our guys did a nice job staying composed, continuing to share the ball, continuing to make plays. And ultimately, winning by competing on the defensive end.”

As James is set to be re-evaluated Friday, it remains unclear when he will return from his strained groin.

While the young core might have felt pressured to fill James’ shoes, they are learning there are different ways to win games. With there being no pecking order, the Lakers are playing together and have a blueprint without James and Rondo.

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Dan Duangdao was the managing editor at Lakers Nation (2013-16, 2018-20). He is currently the founder at LA Sports Media, Lake Show, Raiders Nation, Rams Nation, Kings Nation, Galaxy Nation, and MMA Rumors. Born and raised in Southern California and a lifelong Los Angeles sports and mixed martial arts fan, his first NBA game was Kobe Bryant and the Lakers against the Golden State Warriors with Michael Jordan in attendance during the 1998-99 NBA season. He was previously a contributor at HOOPSWORLD (now Basketball Insiders) and an NBA editor at ClutchPoints. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: @DanDuangdao.
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