The Lakers look to snap their losing streak when they host the Sacramento Kings (7-23) on Sunday. This is the second time these Pacific Division foes will meet this season, with the Lakers currently leading the season series 1-0.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings
When: 6:30 p.m. PT, Dec. 28
Where: Crypto.com Arena
Watch: Spectrum Sportsnet
This year’s Christmas wasn’t so merry for the purple and gold, who are going through their first significant adversity of the season.
Injuries are piling
up with the latest being the most painful one yet as Austin Reaves is expected to be out for a minimum of four weeks due to a grade two calf strain. Then on top of that, the Lakers’ performance as of late has dropped and it’s obvious based on how their opponents have beaten them as of late with three straight blowout losses in a row for Los Angeles.
Whether that’s adjusting their defensive schemes, making specific changes to their starting lineup and rotations or simply playing with more effort and professionalism, as JJ Redick likes to say, Los Angeles needs to make changes as soon as possible — preferably before they fall down the standings.
After the ugly loss to the Rockets, Redick said that the team will have an uncomfortable film session and practice on Saturday. It’s going to be interesting to see how everyone responds to that and that starts with how they perform against the visiting Kings on Sunday.
The Kings may be sitting in last place in the Western Conference, but this doesn’t mean they’re going to be an easy opponent to take on considering how the Lakers are currently playing. These days, it seems L.A. can’t stop a parked car or rebound the ball to save their lives. That can’t happen against a Kings team that employs a veteran scorer like DeMar DeRozan. They also have the likes of Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schröder, who are all capable of popping off anytime.
With Reaves expected to miss some time, L.A. has to quickly adjust, especially on offense. More will be asked across the board, especially from Luka Dončić and LeBron James. It’ll take a team-wide effort to fill the 26.6. points a game that AR has been providing this season. How the Lakers adjust and who steps up will be worth watching.
The Lakers may be ahead of the Kings by 12 wins, but the stats as of late say that they’ve been playing at the same level. Sacramento has significantly struggled on defense this season, ranking 28th in the league. They’re a horrible 3-point shooting team as well, ranking 23rd, just above the Lakers. The biggest difference between these two teams is that the Kings’ offense doesn’t make up for their flaws, so that’s something the purple and gold might want to expose on Sunday night.
Given that they’re now on a three-game losing streak and in the midst of a slump, Sunday’s game has become vital for the Lakers. Let’s see if they get out of their dry spell and get back on the winning column with a win against the Kings.
Notes and Updates
- For the Lakers injury report, Reaves (calf strain) and Gabe Vincent (lumbar back strain) are out. Jaxson Hayes (left ankle soreness) is doubtful. Two-way forward Drew Timme (concussion protocol) is questionable.
- The Kings played on Saturday against the Mavs, winning 113-107, so they will not have an injury report until hours before the game. For that game against Dallas, Domantas Sabonis (knee), Zach LaVine (ankle), Keegan Murray (right calf), Devin Carter (ankle) and Drew Eubanks (thumb) were all out.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
