The Los Angeles Lakers are battling their first major crisis this season, caused by player absences that added up to the wear and tear of the 2020-21 season.
L.A. enters play Friday having lost four straight games, most recently falling 114-89 to the current No. 1 Western Conference-seeded Utah Jazz. The Lakers again played without Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder, although the latter could return Friday if he clears the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
Regardless, the current campaign will continue to extoll some serious physical and mental pressure on the Lakers due to the scheduling and rigid coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.