The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a first-round loss to the Phoenix Suns, bringing a difficult season to a disappointing end. The Lakers made a number of offseason and mid-season moves meant to improve the roster, including additions like Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell, Andre Drummond, Ben McLemore and others. However, it didn’t translate through an injury-riddled season.
Anthony Davis and LeBron James both missed significant time with injury, and it always felt like role players would suffer minor injuries — or be entered into the NBA’s health and safety protocols — just as people were getting healthy. Even in that first-round series, the Lakers held a 2-1 lead and were keeping it close in Game 4 when Davis suffered a groin injury that would ultimately end his season.