LeBron James has been left to carry the LA Lakers without the injured Luka Doncic since Thursday. The Lakers shut down Doncic, who is recovering from a Grade 2 hamstring, to close the regular season. Austin Reaves has also been sidelined due to a Grade 2 hamstring injury, leaving the 41-year-old superstar with a heavy burden.
While many are predicting doom for the team, “Showtime Lakers” member Mychal Thompson isn’t joining that bandwagon. Klay Thompson’s father said on ESPN Los Angeles (via Lakers Daily):
“It’s not crazy to say LeBron’s still the best player on the team. … What does Luka do better than him?”
This season, the Lakers have made Luka Doncic the focal point of the offense. The MVP contender is averaging an NBA-best 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Doncic pushed the Lakers to the No. 3 seed in the West behind a sizzling March when he averaged 37.5 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 7.4 apg and 2.3 spg.
LeBron James, who has played second fiddle to his teammate, is putting up 20.9 ppg, 7.1 apg, 6.1 rpg and 1.1 spg. In the Lakers’ last two crucial games without Doncic and Reaves, he is averaging 28.0 ppg, 13.0 apg, 8.5 rpg and 1.5 spg.
Mychal Thompson has a valid argument, but the Lakers can’t have a 41-year-old veteran as their best player. Without Luka Doncic, they are unlikely to make serious noise in the playoffs.
LeBron James Leads Lakers to First-Half Lead Against Suns Without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves
LeBron James led the LA Lakers to a 57-48 halftime lead against the Phoenix Suns on Friday. The four-time MVP dropped 22 points, five assists, two rebounds and one steal in 18 minutes. James made 8 of 10 shots, including 2 of 2 from behind the arc. James also converted 4 of 5 attempts from the free-throw line.
Like the Lakers, the Suns were also shorthanded. Devin Booker (injury management) and Jalen Green (knee) were ruled out hours before the game. Dillon Brooks and Royce O’Neale led the visiting team, combining for 20 points, five rebounds and two assists.
A win by the Lakers will keep them at No. 4 after the Denver Nuggets obliterated the OKC Thunder 127-107.
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