The Los Angeles Lakers' 123-112 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night created a handful of sore spots for the franchise moving forward. That is meant quite literally. Several players got banged up and even left the matchup before the night was over.
Luka Doncic was one of those players. Thankfully, the Lakers superstar appeared at the postgame podium and downplayed the severity of his awkward landing during a 3-point make where Kyle Kuzma did not give him enough space to come down comfortably. Luka thought he was fine.
Austin Reaves is the most concerning of the bunch right now. The Lakers guard exited with a limp, and there is talk of a heel injury for him. JJ Redick confirmed x-rays were negative on Reaves, and that an Achilles injury has been ruled out as a possibility.
Collin Sexton also tapped out of this matchup early. All of this added to an injury report that already included Quentin Grimes (right finger sprain) on it. At least the Lakers can take solace in the fact that they do not play again until Sunday, giving their banged up players a chance at additional rest.
Lakers are off until Sunday and ailing players can rest even more if needed
For any of the Lakers licking their wounds, the extra break in the schedule here gives them their shot to take it easy for the next few days. Sunday is still a little ways off and that is great news for all of the guys mentioned above.
The additional positive is the Lakers' upcoming five games offer very little resistance in terms of competition. A team should always be practicing caution with injuries. It gets made even easier when the upcoming slate includes the likes of the Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz (twice), Sacramento Kings, and Charlotte Hornets.
Nov. 27 is the next serious challenge on the Lakers schedule. That will be a meeting against the San Antonio Spurs.
There is comfort and flexibility involved here for everyone. Doncic was already looking at the Reaves situation with the mindset of next man up. That is the right attitude to have here.
The Lakers invested in their depth this summer. Guys like Sexton, Grimes, and company should have the ability to scale up for Los Angeles, health permitting.
Reaves' injury sounds like the most serious of the bunch right now. If the star guard needs that time off, you absolutely give it to him in any circumstance. That is especially true in a situation akin to what the team has in front of them at present.
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