Things did not get off on the right foot for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2021-22 season. They were defeated on opening night by the Golden State Warriors at the STAPLES Center, 121-114.
A lot of what plagued the Lakers during the preseason occurred again in the first game of the regular season.
Russell Westbrook struggled to find his spots, shooting 4-of-13 from the field and scoring only eight points. He added five rebounds and four assists in 35 minutes of play. The other members of the Lakers Big 3, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, did their thing.
James and Davis were the only players on the team to score double-figure points, as James led the way with 34 and Davis had 33. Both had 11 rebounds as well, but it was not enough to get the Lakers a victory.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lakers’ LeBron James’ Candid Message To Russell Westbrook
Los Angeles is going to need other players to step up behind James and Davis. The team is battling some injuries, as Trevor Ariza, Talen Horton-Tucker, Wayne Ellington, and Kendrick Nunn were all sidelined.
All four were expected to be a part of the rotation to start the season.
If Los Angeles doesn’t see some improvements, they could look to shake things up during the season. Could a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies get the Lakers what they need? Check out this hypothetical trade courtesy of Bleacher Report that lands Dillon Brooks in Hollywood.
