The Los Angeles Lakers got Ziaire Williams back from a foot injury in the 138-117 win over the Miami Heat. He missed a week of action. Head coach JJ Redick didn’t say Williams was on minutes’ restriction, but he came off the bench and only played 15 against the Heat. It didn’t matter. The 6’9 forward was right back to sinking open threes and playing stout defense.
Williams finished with nine points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal. He sank three 3-pointers and was exactly the type of player Luka maximizes. The 25-year-old didn’t try to do too much. Doncic looked unstoppable from the jump, so Ziaire waited for open looks and knocked them down. His focus was mostly on the defensive end, which is exactly what the Lakers need.
LA remade their roster around Luka this summer. The goal was to get younger, more athletic, and add versatility. The Lakers did all that, including convincing Williams to sign on the minimum. He showed his clean fit starting in the preseason, and nothing has changed, not even after missing a week of action.
Ziaire Williams is the 3-and-D wing the Lakers need next to Luka Doncic
Luka has scored 40-plus in four of the last five games and is leading the NBA in scoring again. Defenses have to sell out just to slow Doncic down. That creates a ton of open threes for his teammates. Luka loves to kick to the corner where Williams is shooting 55.6 percent to start the year.
The 6’9 forward has made 10 of his 21 3-point attempts, but that isn’t all. Williams has added some timely cuts and transition finishes to be scoring a career-high 10.8 points per game on 55.9 percent shooting from the field. He isn’t driving into a crowd or trying to do too much. Williams is taking advantage of open looks and thriving playing off The Don.
Williams is tied for the second-tallest player on the Lakers. Being able to guard on the ball at 6’9 is a massive advantage. The Lakers are increasing their pressure this season, and the 25-year-old has done well picking up fullcourt and scrambling back. He can guard multiple players and provides impactful defense.
The Lakers have Luka and Austin Reaves running the show. They need role players around them, who are comfortable doing their jobs. Ziaire Williams has been immediately bought in from day one and is a fantastic fit.
Ziaire Williams foot injury should be managed closely
Williams said he “felt great” after the win over the Heat, but this injury is something to monitor. The Lakers are just eight games into the 82-game grind of the regular season. Foot injuries can linger and pop back. Coach Redick and the training staff wisely limited his minutes in the first game back and should keep a close eye on his playing time.
The 25-year-old has never played more than 63 games in a season. LA knew he would miss time when they signed him. There is a reason a 3-and-D wing with potential to improve was available for a minimum contract.
The Lakers need Williams down the stretch and into the playoffs. He is their best on-ball defender and looks to be a plus-shooter. Teams will sell out even harder to slow down Doncic in the playoffs. He needs role players sinking open shots and getting stops on the other end. Williams has done both in his short time with the purple and gold.
Lakers should start Ziaire Williams when the games matter most
Williams is clearly one of LA’s five best players. Coach Redick was wise to start him on opening night and let him guard the opposition’s best scorer. The Lakers should put the 6’9 forward in those positions and hope his size is a deterrent to the best creators. Williams can use his athletic ability against bigger players. He may not be an elite defender, but the effort and want to are there.
The Lakers are still figuring things out. They have nine new players and only four returners are in their top 12 in minutes played to start the year. Doncic and Reaves are back, but the supporting cast around them is almost entirely new. Head coach JJ Redick is still sorting out the best combinations, but he knows 3-and-D wings thrive playing next to Luka.
Williams was bought into that role for the moment he signed with the Lakers. He wanted to come to Los Angeles to be fed open looks by Luka and return to Southern California. His role buy-in has made him the ideal fit from the jump.
Hopefully, Williams puts this foot injury behind him and can ramp back into a starter’s role. The Lakers want him to play 30-ish minutes per game to boost their defense and floor spacing. Williams may need time to get back there, and LA should give it to him. They need him starting and playing significant minutes when the games matter most.
The Los Angeles Lakers got a bargain signing in Ziaire Williams. Even after missing a week of action, he fit right back in and was outstanding in his role. That is just what the Lakers need.
Add us as a preferred source on Google