Lakers who must desperately step up with Anthony Davis injured

By Jason Reed | Dec 19, 2022

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 13: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to Lonnie Walker IV #4 during the first half against the Boston Celtics at Crypto.com Arena on December 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, 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 License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

1. Thomas Bryant

This is perhaps the one positive to come out of the Anthony Davis injury for the Los Angeles Lakers. Anthony Davis not being in the rotation is going to force Darvin Ham to give Thomas Bryant a bigger role — which he already deserved before the injury.

After missing the start of the season with a thumb injury, Bryant came back to the Lakers and played really well whenever Ham would actually give him a run during games. However, those chances were not consistent and did not happen enough.

Despite Bryant’s strong play, he still was not getting the playing time that he should have with Ham giving less deserving players more time. With such a lack of size on this roster, Bryant is now going to have a really big role on this team for the next month-plus.

We have already seen this translate in the two games in which Davis got hurt and when he didn’t play. Against the Denver Nuggets (the game AD got hurt), Thomas played 24 minutes and dropped a casual 21 points. No biggie. Then he played 33 minutes against the Washington Wizards and put up a 16 and 10 while making both of his three-point attempts.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Predicting the Lakers’ record while Anthony Davis is injured

The Anthony Davis injury is a massive blow to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, they could still stay afloat without their star big man.

It has been obvious to any Lakers fan that has watched the team that Bryant should be playing more. Now he is getting his chance to do so and it is important he makes the most of it.

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