Lakers

2022 - 10 - 29

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Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

5 things we learned from the Timberwolves' win over the Lakers (Sports Illustrated)

The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night and there were more clues to how this team will look this year. With another monster ...

LeBron James scored 28 points with seven rebounds and five assists, but his supporting cast is crumbling at the seams. We're six games into the season, so we can assume Russell will get comfortable with Gobert in due time and eventually start performing better offensively. The Timberwolves point guard shot just 4-for-15 on the night and 2-for-7 from 3-point range. There are moments where the Timberwolves appear to be forcing looks on Gobert offensively, but that's a work in progress. Towns also finished with eight rebounds and seven assists while backing his transition to power forward after the game. Gobert had another big night for the Timberwolves, putting up 22 points and pulling down 21 rebounds.

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Image courtesy of "Canis Hoopus"

NBA Recap: Minnesota Timberwolves 111, Los Angeles Lakers 102 ... (Canis Hoopus)

Prince delivered 13 points and three steals that became momentum-turning inflection points in a rock fight win.

So we just try to get him to the bottom of the floor way more than we could, in the fourth quarter in particular.” Gobert’s success on the offensive glass also helped him get to the free throw line, from where he shot 8/12 for the game en route to a season-high 22 points. He didn’t turn the ball over, either, and connected with Gobert on a massive dunk that put the exclamation point on a dominant fourth quarter for the former No. But, there has been a significant adjustment period for Gobert, who wasn’t asked to impact the game offensively beyond screening, rolling and rebounding during his time as a member of the Utah Jazz. “Probably the biggest play of the game that maybe sealed the win was he drives and gets the foul. He took a back seat, got his teammates involved, played hard defensively, and grabbed three boards, biding his time for when the game called for his offense. We do that, the more we’ll win ball games and the more we win ball games, the further we’ll go.” The home crowd — and his teammates — were quick to acknowledge his effort when the game got hectic. “Putting in the work, and trusting in it when it comes time to come play the game, and I think other guys see that.” When in for Jaden McDaniels, he played fantastic defense on James, especially in the third quarter, during which the Wolves held the King to two points on 1/6 shooting. “I see a ton of growth opportunity within [our group] on both sides of the ball, with the bench, with everything with the lineup combinations,” he explained. It’s hard to find a player more well-liked in the Timberwolves locker room than Taurean Prince, precisely for the reasons you saw tonight.

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Image courtesy of "NBA.com"

Game Recap: Timberwolves 111, Lakers 102 | NBA.com (NBA.com)

LeBron James (28 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists) became the NBA's All-Time leader in 20+ point games as the Lakers fell to the Timberwolves, 111-102.

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Image courtesy of "Sportskeeda"

LA Lakers News Roundup: LA Lakers loses fifth straight as Anthony ... (Sportskeeda)

The shorthanded LA Lakers remain winless after losing a close game to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. Anthony Davis was sidelined while Russell ...

Parts of the game that I’ve done for years to accommodate whatever it is that the coach needs me to do. Hopefully, his sacrifices will translate to wins for the LA Lakers. After more than a decade of playing as a starter, Russell Westbrook finally started off the bench. Westbrook had a more telling impact on the LA Lakers than in any of his previous games. Darvin Ham finally put to the test what many basketball experts believed was Russell Westbrook’s best role with the LA Lakers. The LA Lakers are reportedly continuing to make him the team’s sixth man. It was a small sample size, but Westbrook showed more energy and hustle than in his previous games this season. Westbrook emphasized after the game that he has been sacrificing two seasons for the Lakers and will continue to do so. Coach Darvin Ham and LA Lakers franchise player LeBron James praised Russell Westbrook’s performance in a reserved role for the team. The shorthanded LA Lakers remain winless after losing a close game to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. AD’s absence was heavily felt as the Timberwolves’ twin towers of [Rudy Gobert](https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/rudy-gobert) and [Karl-Anthony Towns](https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/karl-anthony-towns) caused heavy damage. LA battled on the boards against Minnesota’s imposing frontline but still got beat in the end.

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Image courtesy of "Sir Charles In Charge"

Los Angeles Lakers: Predicting when LA will win their first game of ... (Sir Charles In Charge)

Predicting when the Los Angeles Lakers will win their first game of the 2022-23 NBA season. They have gotten off to an 0-5 start to the season.

The Lakers will eventually win. The Lakers close the week with the Denver Nuggets Sunday. Even though this article was written a bit in a sarcastic tone, the Lakers have some serious issues to figure out on their own. In hopes of not getting lost in the playoff picture, the hope is that the Lakers can begin winning soon. The big question for the team heading into the second or third week of the season is when that will come. They are the [worst shooting team in the league](https://sircharlesincharge.com/2022/10/27/los-angeles-lakers-fatal-flaw-fix/) and have statistically the worst offense in the league.

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Image courtesy of "New York Post"

Lakers' struggles '92 percent about' Anthony Davis, says Channing ... (New York Post)

The Lakers are still winless after losing to the Timberwolves on Friday night to drop to 0-5 for the franchise's worst start in 65 years.

“Other than LeBron, everyone is on the block,” Frye said. This is 92 percent about A.D. off the team, and just put Russ on that team. This is about A.D. “He’s the youngest. Much of the blame for L.A.’s struggles has fallen on Russell Westbrook, who has proven to be a disastrous fit since the Lakers traded for him last August.

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Image courtesy of "Sports Illustrated"

Lakers LeBron James Praises Russell Westbrook for Play Off Bench (Sports Illustrated)

The Lakers' 0–5 start is their worst since the 2014–15 season, and they remain one of just two NBA teams left who haven't won a game.

12 Pick Joshua Primo in Surprise Move](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/10/29/spurs-waive-former-no-12-pick-joshua-primo-in-surprise-move?utm_source=recommendations&utm_medium=in-article&utm_campaign=end-of-story) Last season was the first time Westbrook averaged under 20 points per game since his second year in the league, and so far this year he hasn’t surpassed the 20-point mark either. Last night, Westbrook came off the bench, the first time he’s done that since his rookie season in 2008–09. “Russ, my hat’s off to him once again,” Ham said. That makes them probably the most disappointing team in the league so far. [Russell Westbrook](https://www.si.com/nba/player/russell-westbrook), as the team and the point guard have struggled to figure out [how to move forward](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/10/21/russell-westbrook-lakers-trade-future) together this season.

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Image courtesy of "LakersNation.com"

Lakers News: Russell Westbrook Accepting Of Bench Role Although ... (LakersNation.com)

In a move that many expected to see at some point this season, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham decided to bring point guard Russell Westbrook off ...

There were still some things to improve upon for Westbrook as he shot just 6-of-17 on the night and also committed five turnovers in the loss. But he insists that he will continue to do whatever the coaches ask of him in order to benefit the Lakers: Overall,, Westbrook did provide some great energy off the bench for the Lakers and following the contest made it clear that coming off the bench did not change his mentality in the game, via [Spectrum SportsNet](https://twitter.com/SpectrumSN/status/1586204367002034176):

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Image courtesy of "Los Angeles Times"

Lakers' 0-5 start? Only difficult choices ahead (Los Angeles Times)

Lakers forward LeBron James stands on the court as coach Darvin Ham looks at a play. Forward LeBron James and first-year coach Darvin Ham are winless in five ...

He has to do what’s best for his body and his mind. Clippers: ‘Defended his behind off’](https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2022-10-22/lakers-russell-westbrook-darvin-ham-clippers-nba) “He has to do what’s best for his body. If Davis isn’t 100% physically or mentally, then what’s the point of any of this? The Lakers could certainly improve that number via trade if they’re willing to part with both future first-round picks. Even though Russell Westbrook looked more comfortable in his first game as the primary ballhandler and playmaker for the team’s second unit, taking his $47-million contract and carving it into two or three capable offensive players is the surest way to make the team more competitive — at least offensively. “Make sure his mind is in the right place, because I think that’s the most important part of any injury. AD is taking care of his body, which is most important,” Westbrook said. But, as one rival executive who recently scouted the Lakers put it, “we all knew they wouldn’t shoot. The Golden State Warriors, currently ranked 15th, are shooting 36%. Hey everyone and welcome to this week’s Lakers newsletter. Turning things around might not be as hard as it seems — one Lakers player quipped during the road trip that the answer would be simply “30%” three-point shooting.

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Image courtesy of "ClutchPoints"

Darvin Ham's desperate message amid Lakers' putrid 0-5 start (ClutchPoints)

Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham gave the perfect response when asked about his team's lack of a third scorer.

It’s not like the 2020 title team ever developed a reliable third scorer behind James and Davis anyway. [coming off the bench](https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-russell-westbrook-gets-massive-injury-update-ahead-of-fridays-game-vs-timberwolves/), but still needed 17 shots to score 18 points. and Austin Reaves were the only other Lakers in double-figures. Los Angeles, in his view, could use pretty much anyone to fill its void of a consistent third scorer—even local beat reporters. Anthony Davis’ ongoing struggles with his jumper only compound the biggest problem during Los Angeles’ wholly dispiriting 0-5 start. Building any team around LeBron James that lacks a semblance of competent perimeter shooting would always be a recipe for disaster, but especially with Russell Westbrook also in the fold.

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Image courtesy of "The Boston Globe"

Winless through five games, can things get any worse for the Lakers? (The Boston Globe)

Despite a healthy LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they've lost their first five games of the season.

He galvanized the franchise and the players, which is why it was such a crushing blow to Celtics brass when he violated the conduct policy. The Celtics brought in Griffin to help the thin frontcourt, and he agreed to a guaranteed deal for this season. It will require a considerable effort, which is what Brown alluded to during his interview with the Globe. The decision to suspend Udoka was a Celtics decision, and not one of the NBA, and he doesn’t face any penalty from the league. Rivers said recently he still enjoys coaching and that he is optimistic that the 76ers will get it together and become a contender in the Eastern Conference. Brown has a lot at stake and made the right decision. The hope is when Dennis Schröder returns from a hand injury and the veterans adapt to Ham’s system, fortunes will be better. As for Rivers, he was not hired by 76ers general manager Daryl Morey, and this is a pivotal season for the franchise, considering James Harden and Joel Embiid are now healthy. In other words, Westbrook is not trying to be a role player, although the Lakers brought him off the bench Friday. James signed off on the Westbrook trade, and the Lakers sent out two pieces from that title team — Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope — to facilitate the deal. In Denver, with Westbrook out with a hamstring injury, the Lakers played one good quarter and were put away late by the Nuggets. And Westbrook is stubborn enough to take those shots in a quest to prove he’s still an All-Star-caliber player.

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Image courtesy of "hoopsrumors.com"

Lakers Notes: Westbrook, Davis, Ham, LeBron (hoopsrumors.com)

“From Day 1, I mentioned I'm the guy that's willing to do whatever for the team,” said Westbrook, who hadn't been used as a reserve since his rookie season. “ ...

“He has to do what’s best for his body,” [LeBron James](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)said. [Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register](https://www.ocregister.com/2022/10/29/lakers-grapple-with-mental-toll-of-injuries-0-5-start/). “We’re just trying to find what works right now, to be honest,” he said. “He has to do what’s best for his body and his mind. “From Day 1, I mentioned I’m the guy that’s willing to do whatever for the team,” said Westbrook, who hadn’t been used as a reserve since his rookie season. It’s a role that new head coach Darvin Ham talked to Westbrook about during the offseason, and he decided to make the move after the team’s sluggish start.

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