The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for an action packed season opener! Picture this, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves leading the charge against the Golden State Warriors. The stage is now set for the evening of October 24, 2023 at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. It’s sure to be an exciting matchup and would be a big early statement for the Lakers. With LeBron James sidelined until mid-November due to injury, the team will rely heavily on Doncic and Reaves to lead their efforts.
We know Doncic can deliver on the biggest stage, especially when James is out of the picture. Last season, he was incredible, averaging 30.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 8.8 assists across just five games. He did this amazing work without the help of the superstar forward. This season, he is expected to escalate his scoring role even further against the Warriors, given the limited offensive support available to him.
Rising Stars in the Spotlight
Over on the Los Angeles side, Austin Reaves continues to assert himself as a true third star for the Lakers this year. He dug deep into his talent last year, notching 9.2 rebounds a night in 42 games as a starter. With James out of the lineup, Reaves will have to do more, especially in the areas of rebounding and playmaking. He went over the total of 10.5 rebounds plus assists in 45% of his 78 games last season. We think that’s an extraordinary success!
Additionally, Rui Hachimura will be taking a bigger offensive role this season. Last season, he averaged 13.1 points and 5.3 rebounds in 31.7 minutes per game. When James was out, he took his game to another level averaging 19.3 points and 6.3 rebounds. Hachimura’s ability to contribute consistently will be crucial for the Lakers as they face a formidable opponent in the Warriors.
Adjustments for Houston and Other Teams
As the season gets going, the Houston Rockets might be the most different. For one, Kevin Durant is expected to take on a higher playmaking load, particularly with other players around him currently facing injury concerns. These changes will open up avenues to anyone who passes to players such as Amen Thompson, who should easily clear the over on 6.5 rebounds per season.
Opposing Durant’s new role, the Rockets are dealing with their own injury problems affecting their roster. De’Anthony Melton is currently out due to a knee injury. Up in the air is fellow guard Moses Moody, who is a game-time decision with a calf injury. In a similar vein, Chet Holmgren is questionable for the opener with a sore shoulder. Kenrich Williams is out with a knee injury, adding even more doubt for Houston. This void makes it all the more difficult for them to prepare themselves for play in the next games.
Impact of Injuries on Player Performance
The myriad injuries to key players will especially alter the landscape of the opening night tilt as well as beyond. For instance, Alex Caruso stands to gain from the absences of Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe, potentially increasing his playing time and impact on both ends of the floor.
With these injuries continuing to plague teams, the players left standing need to elevate their games. They have to take up the offensive and defensive slack left by their suspended colleagues. The absence of key players can lead to unexpected performances and create opportunities for emerging talents to showcase their skills on a larger stage.
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