The Los Angeles Lakers recently had a bad loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. However, in the loss, we saw noticeable changes to the starting lineup.
With the Los Angeles Lakers really struggling in the month of December, we saw Luke Walton make some big changes to the starting lineup. One of the things that has really been a huge head-scratcher for the Lakers this season has been the lack of playing time for Julius Randle.
This season, Randle has been one of the most productive players per minute for the Lakers, however, his playing time has been very scarce. So far this season, Randle has averaged 22.1 minutes per game. In the limited playing time, Randle is averaging 12.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
On Friday night, Randle finally got his first start of the season for the Lakers despite being a starter for most of his career thus far. In the start, Randle did have a very challenging matchup against DeAndre Jordan. Even though Randle has been good for the Lakers this season, he gives up a lot of height to Jordan. In the loss, Jordan was able to perform well, as he totaled a nice double-double with 12 points and 16 rebounds.
Despite Jordan playing well, Randle was also able to have a good game as the starting center. Against the Clippers, Randle totaled 17 points and seven rebounds. Randle was very efficient from the field as well, as he went 8-for-16.
This season, Luke Walton has had a very hard time juggling minutes for Randle, Kyle Kuzma, and Larry Nance Jr. With all three being power forwards, we have seen the Lakers playing with some very small lineups. On Friday, it was Kuzma and Randle as the starters.
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With Lopez still out, it will be interesting to see how Walton makes his lineups. Since the Lakers are really struggling right now, more changes to the starting five could certainly be coming.