Despite what has been a mostly frustrating and inconsistent season, the Lakers were riding high on Monday night. The team arguably posted their best win of the year behind stifling defense, a thunderous Russell Westbrook dunk, an improbable Austin Reaves tip-in and Stanley Johnson scoring through Rudy Gobert at will.
It was a rare collective effort, against one of the league’s best teams. A combination of things scarcely seen throughout the season for this Lakers squad. The discussion coming out of the contest should have been positive, with the performances serving as examples of what this could look like when things fall into place.