LOS ANGELES – The Lakers’ floor general could only lead from the bench both with cheers and instructions. The Lakers’ bruising forward could not exert his powers as he dressed in street clothes.
Unlike what plagued them last week in overwhelming consecutive losses to Golden State, though, the Lakers showed at least for one night their depth could overcome key injuries to guard D’Angelo Russell (left knee) and forward Julius Randle (hip pointer). The Lakers secured a 109-94 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, showing their success and ability to give free tacos to the sell-out crowd at Staples Center will rest more by committee than by star power.