Los Angeles Lakers: 3 players who have to step up with Rajon Rondo injured

The Los Angeles Lakers are going to be without Rajon Rondo for multiple weeks and will need other players to step up in his place. These three players are capable of that.

The Los Angeles Lakers are finally beginning to put things together on the court. Outside of a rough outing against the Orlando Magic, things have looked much better for Los Angeles.

The Lakers have won seven of their last nine games, pushing their record above the .500 mark for the first time this season. However, right as they were putting things together, they hit another snag.

For the second time this season, the Lakers will be without the services of point guard, Rajon Rondo. Rondo broke his hand against the Portland Trail Blazers Nov. 14.

The first time Los Angeles was without their veteran was when he received a three-game suspension for his role in the brawl with the Houston Rockets. This time, he will be sidelined a lot longer than three games, as he could be out at least five weeks.

Rondo has missed two games already, the back-to-back set against the Magic and Miami Heat this past weekend. The performance against the Magic was unacceptable, as things fell apart after a strong first quarter. LeBron James then led a much stronger effort against his former team in the Heat.

When you lose a key part of your rotation, bumps in the road are expected. Rondo is an important part of Luke Walton’s rotations, usually closing games out. Without him, things are going to have to be adjusted.

For at least the next month, the Lakers are going to need people to step up in Rondo’s place. He was averaging a healthy 25.3 minutes per game. One single player won’t absorb those minutes, as they will be spread out among a few different players.

Which players may be called upon? These three players should get the call and will need to step up for as long as Rondo is sidelined.