Thursday night was a reminder that the Lakers can still bring the heat, even when they’re missing key pieces. Anthony Davis? Out with an abdominal strain. Gabe Vincent and Dorian Finney-Smith? Also sidelined with injuries. But did that stop LeBron James and the crew? Not a chance. They dropped a season-high 134 points on the Washington Wizards, who, let’s be honest, looked like they’d rather be anywhere else.
Before the game, JJ Redick set the tone: “All hands on deck,” he said, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. And boy, did the Lakers respond. LeBron did his thing, but it was a full-team effort. Rui Hachimura and Shake Milton stepped up big, and by the fourth quarter, the bench took over. Even Bronny James got some shine, hitting his second bucket of the season and sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Hachimura after the match revealed how the Lakers averted a crisis. Hachimura revealed that the Lakers held a team meeting before the game to address their approach without Anthony Davis, who was sidelined with an abdominal strain.
Jan 30, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Jan 29, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (L) and Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (R) joke on the bench against the Washington Wizards in the third quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
“We talked about, we have to play our games… we have to move the ball more. So we we talk about it before the game and then we execute the offense.” Hachimura said.
Ever since JJ Redick took over the Lakers, the offense has been flowing through AD, with him out, they needed a different ball handler. But also keep in this was against the Wizards, one of the worst teams in the NBA. Can the Lakers hold out without AD or will Rob Pelinka get a solution before 6th Feb?
The Lakers need to update their roster as per Anthony Davis’ wish
The Lakers’ trade deadline talk has mostly centered around landing a center but that’s just one of their problems. Since trading D’Angelo Russell, they’ve been short on playmakers, forcing LeBron James and Austin Reaves to carry most of the ball-handling load. Gabe Vincent has stepped up recently, but counting on him long-term? That’s risky.
Even inside the locker room, players know they need another guard. Dan Woike of the LA Times pointed it out, and if you watched Tuesday’s loss to the Sixers, you saw why. Shake Milton and Bronny James got minutes, but let’s just say fans weren’t exactly thrilled with that experiment.
Of course, adding a center is still a priority—Anthony Davis basically called out the front office about it. But here’s the problem: the market is brutal. Finding a big man who can both complement AD and hold his own when Davis sits? Easier said than done. Fans wanted Walker Kessler, but that dream looks dead.
Jan 27, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Josh Green (10) holds onto the rebound pressured by Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during the second half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
The Lakers can’t afford to throw Band-Aid fixes at this. Whether it’s a center, a guard, or both, they need players who actually move the needle. The trade deadline is coming fast, and Rob Pelinka has some serious work to do. Because let’s be honest—this team needs more than just hope to stay in the fight.
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