The Los Angeles Lakers secure their first victory of the new year with a little unfortunate event during the game. LA started their year in style with a thrashing win over the Charlotte Hornets with 121-115 on the night. However, for the misfortune, the Lakers might have lost another player in the midst of injury troubles in the team. As Hollywood was already suffering with the Anthony Davis injury, Russell Westbrook has added his name to the mishap. It looks like the crises for the Purple and Gold are never ending in this season of the NBA.
Recently the Lakers heard bad news that their marquee player Anthony Davis would not be able to play for quite a while. This lack of information about the 29-year-old’s return is causing extra panic in the Lakers team and front office. And now, to add more concerns, Russell Westbrook is also down the same road. Until further notice, LeBron James will have to shoulder the load that the three superstars of LA once shared. Keep reading to figure out what happened to the 34-year-old point guard.
![Russell Westbrook](https://i0.wp.com/161.35.102.123/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-34.png?resize=1000%2C600)
The Lakers Go Deeper Down The Rabit Hole
In the game against the Hornets, Russell only played 11 minutes before taking his seat back on the sidelines. Reports suggest that the reserved point guard has been dealing with left foot soreness for some time. In recent weeks the eight-time All-star has missed two games due to soreness in his foot. Westbrook’s use in the team is quite debatable whether he was an asset or a liability. However, while he was playing, he averaged 14.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists.
![Lakers](https://i0.wp.com/161.35.102.123/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-35-1024x576.png?resize=1024%2C576)
Meanwhile, the Lakers were out there to find stability in the team until Davis was ready to get back on the court. But it looks like the Lakers are going to be more unstable than ever this season. Since the season started, ‘The Big Three‘ has played together, and still, LA lies at the bottom of the table. The Lakers are 4-6 in the last ten games and 7-13 in the 20 away games this season. Hollywood needs reinforcement from the front office now more than ever unless the front office has already given up on this year.
LeBron James Showers Points To Start The New Year
Although Russell left the court early, King James stayed to give the Lakers fans a new year performance. The outstanding individual performance marked LA’s third win in the last four games. The four-time NBA champ flushed an astonishing 43 points with 11 rebounds and six assists on Monday. LeBron is making it look so easy that the fans have started taking him for granted, forgetting it is his 20th season.
![Lakers Vs. Hornets](https://i0.wp.com/161.35.102.123/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/image-36-1024x614.png?resize=1024%2C614)
The Lakers were on the brink of slipping the game in the last quarter of the game. It is not the first time LA has lost its grip over a well-controlled game. The slip led to last-minute drama in the game, which Hollywood ended up securing. But if the Lakers had lost the game, it would have been another failed attempt to maximize LeBron’s high-point performance.