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Los Angeles Lakers: Josh Hart has big game against Utah Jazz

SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Josh Hart #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 24, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Josh Hart #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 24, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

In the loss to the Utah Jazz on Sunday, the Los Angeles Lakers saw rookie Josh Hart step up with a big game.

The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Utah Jazz 112-97 last night. The Lakers were missing several players due to injury including Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball. The team has been plagued with injuries this season, leaving their roster depleted.

However, the team’s philosophy has always been next man up. A few players saw their minutes increase and they were able to contribute in meaningful ways. Though the Lakers came up short against the Jazz, rookie guard Josh Hart put on a show for the Los Angeles matinée crowd.

The rookie from Villanova played a career high 41 minutes in the loss. According to ESPN, Hart scored 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the field, two points shy of a new career-high. He shot 2-for-8 from distance, but also totaled 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. One of those blocks came on this play against fellow rookie Donovan Mitchell:

Hart showed in the loss what he’s capable of doing in increased minutes on the floor. Without his fellow rookie teammates out there to share the floor with him, Hart was able to take over more of the offense. With the ball in his hands more, Hart facilitated the Lakers offense. He showed a lot of positive signs, and head coach Luke Walton took notice. Walton was asked about Hart’s play after the game in his post game interview about whether it is fair to label Hart as a 3-and-D type player. Walton had this to say about Hart.

"“Throughout the season, anytime he gets to play big minutes or have a bigger role, he’s been pretty good for us. He’s one of our best finishers. He’s one of our best rebounders. He can push it in transition. So I’d agree that saying he’s a 3-and-D guy is limiting what his potential is as a player.”"

Walton is accurate in his statement of Josh Hart. Though Hart has shown that he can be a reliable defender that can take on the tougher assignments and also shoot reliably from downtown, he’s capable of much more. He’s very active on the glass, as Walton mentioned. In his six games back from injuries, he’s totaled double-digit rebounds three times. Furthermore, he’s shown the ability to be the primary ball-handler and effortlessly penetrate the lane.

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This all-around play by Josh Hart was not what he was initially billed as during the NBA draft. Though, he’s exceeded all expectations of him. The good news for the Lakers is that he’s just one piece of their budding young core. With players like Hart, Kuzma, Ball and Ingram representing the Lakers core of the future, the team seems destined for success.

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