LeBron James and Rui Hachimura were home sick. Anthony Davis sat in the back to have his injured ankle treated. D’Angelo Russell and Jaxson Hayes were not healthy enough to participate in a full workout.
And yet there was optimism.
Friday marked the start of a period where the Lakers could really unpack and get comfortable, while the rigors of the NBA and the travel schedule were about to slow down for the longest part of their season. Starting on Saturday against Sacramento, eleven of the next fourteen games will be played in Los Angeles. Ten will be at home (one will be the Lakers’ Intuit Dome debut against the Clippers).
Heading into Friday’s NBA games, the Lakers (17-13) had played a conference-high 17 road games, comparable to the Utah Jazz for most players in the West. Only the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers had played more road games.
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“We played together and tried to play the right way,” coach JJ Redick said after practice. “I think our game plan discipline has been really good. So I like where our team is at. I like where our team is trending. I’m really going to enjoy it when we’re completely healthy.”
Hachimura and James are doubtful for Saturday due to illness. Davis will also be listed as questionable due to the ankle injury he suffered in the first quarter on Christmas. He told The Times after the match that he expected things to go ‘well’.
Russell, who missed the win over the Golden State Warriors, was able to participate in the non-contact portions of Friday’s practice with his sprained thumb and appeared to be on track to return against the Kings (13-18). And Hayes, who has played just once since Nov. 10 due to back-to-back right ankle injuries, also took part in some non-contact practice portions. He appears to be on the verge of a return after Redick called him “day-to-day.”
Redick said Hayes was “moving well” in practice Friday as the Lakers came close to adding a dynamic big man back to their lineup.
“Offensively for us, it’s just the edge running, the pace at which he can get from one play to the next as a big. He is very good in the half court at screening, rolling and getting back to a second play. And [Russell]With some of the lob stuff, he just puts pressure on the rim like a roller,” Redick said of what the Lakers have missed without Hayes. “And defensively he was doing the best for us before he got injured. He had a period of four or five games where he was great at both ends and also crashed. He got offensive rebounds for us. So we missed him.”
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The Lakers do not have a schedule for Christian Wood and Jared Vanderbilt, both of whom have yet to play this season. However, Redick said he hoped both would be back for this portion of the home games.
Asked about possible roster evaluations ahead of the Feb. 6 trade deadline, Redick said he thinks a full Lakers roster is good enough to contend.
“Robbing [Pelinka, GM] and I talk all the time, but my focus is on coaching this group and trying to maximize this group,” Redick said. “Honestly, I believe if this group is healthy, we can compete. If a step needs to be made, a step needs to be taken, but I’m focused on this group.”
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
