Overview
- Coach JJ Redick said the staff is evaluating the rotation and warned that continued lapses will prompt changes, adding that Jarred Vanderbilt will get opportunities if the issues persist.
- Los Angeles has been strong in set half-court defense over the last 10 games, but it ranks worst in transition and in the first 8–10 seconds of possessions, according to Redick.
- Over the past seven games the Lakers have allowed a league-worst 21.6 fast-break points per game, including 27 in the NBA Cup quarterfinal loss to San Antonio.
- Since LeBron James returned, the offense has surged to 121.1 points per 100 possessions over 10 games while the defensive rating has slipped to 120.9, ranking 28th in that span.
- Reaves has a left calf strain and will be re-evaluated in about a week, and the next test comes Sunday at Phoenix, which logged 28 fast-break points in the teams’ previous meeting.