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3 reasons Lakers should be worried after Game 5 loss to Warriors

By Mike Luciano

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors takes a pass in front of Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 104-101 Lakers win in game four of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 08, 2023 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. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors takes a pass in front of Lonnie Walker IV #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 104-101 Lakers win in game four of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 08, 2023 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. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Rui Hachimura Lakers
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – APRIL 16: Rui Hachimura #28 of the Los Angeles Lakers (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

3. The lack of bench scoring

LeBron James is LeBron James, and even 75% of current LeBron is good enough to win you a series like this. Davis appears to have figured out what was causing his volatility early in the series and has put together a few strong games in a row. Besides that, the rest of the crew did not help those two out.

Dennis Schroder gets a pass, as he was in double figures fairly early and did his best to keep the second unit working despite a barrage of shots made early by the Warriors. Jarred Vanderbilt went invisible on offense at the worst time, and the 1-2 punch of Rui Hachimura and Lonnie Walker had just seven attempts through their first 44 combined minutes.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ bench must step up.

The Warriors are obviously a star-driven team, but part of the reason they won last season and upset the Kings this year is their ability to muster up solid performances from names like Gary Payton II and Kevin Looney, who vacillate between the bench and starting lineup. LA gets them sometimes, but not as often.

All the Lakers need is more than one player who comes in and provides enough offensive pop to supplement the stars. This won’t be achieved through Austin Reaves doing wild stuff or Walker holding the ball all game long.

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