The Los Angeles Lakers had a terrible start last season due to a lot of injury concerns. But the fans were hoping this season would be different. After all, they had a great offseason. Unlike last season’s early phase, this season, the team has depth and balance in their roster. They have enough depth that should be sufficient to help them make the postseason. But the LA side did not have a great start to the season.
Albeit, they’ve won three out of the first five games in the current regular season. But the Lakers are already facing a few injury concerns. Moreover, the Lakers will miss at least three rotation players in the game against the Orlando Magic. However, from Saturday, the Lakers will be on the road for four games straight. Hence, they need players to stay healthy to see them through this four-game road trip.
Lakers Will Miss Three Or More Key Players Against The Magic
Clearly, the Lakers have not played any game at their full strength this season so far. Vanderbilt has been out since the preseason. Hachimura didn’t play the last two games. Moreover, Gabe Vincent and Taurean Prince missed the game against the LA Clippers. Despite missing these players, the Lakers won the game against their city rivals because of the super performance of the James-Davis duo. However, the fans know how injury-prone the top two stars of the team are. Hence, they cannot rely on them every game. Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis will need quality support from the rest of the roster.
Injury update for tomorrow; Taurean Prince is the only one on it with a chance to play against Orlando: pic.twitter.com/TO8XSxzTIb
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) November 3, 2023
Otherwise, it will be too stressful for the James-Davis duo. If those four injury concerns were not enough, the Lakers have another injured player in the name of Jalen Hood-Schifino. The Lakers can feel the lack of depth at present. Moreover, the 17th pick from the 2023 NBA draft, Hood-Schifino is a promising rookie. But he’ll stay out with the right patella contusion. Both Vando and Vincent will miss the games for two weeks straight. But in a week the doctors will revaluate Jarred Vanderbilt. However, the Lakers will miss Vincent in the four-game road trip.
Injuries Hit The LA Side Hard Way Too Soon This Season
It started with Jarred Vanderbilt, one of the key players in the defense. He sustained a heel bursitis injury and is out for at least a couple of weeks. But as it seems, there are more injury issues coming up for the Lakers. Moreover, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, who became fan favorites last season, have not been able to deliver that well so far this season. On top of that, Rui Hachimura is another major injury concern for the LA side.
There is a high possibility that the former Washington Wizards forward won’t be available during the Lakers game against the Orlando Magic. If that was not enough, the new recruits like Gabe Vincent and Taurean Prince are questionable to play against the Magic, too. Hence, tensions are increasing for Darvin Ham and the Lakers. It seems like, there is a too much pressure on the depth of the roster, all too soon.
