The los Angeles Lakers suffered a 136-113 defeat against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, a game marked by critically important absences and underwhelming performances from available players. While the team’s depleted roster-missing LeBron James, Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves, and others-contributed to the loss, the performances of Luka Dončić and Deandre Ayton were particularly scrutinized.
The Lakers’ struggles underscore the team’s current reliance on a healthy roster for competitive success. With six players sidelined, including key contributors, the team’s depth was severely tested, impacting both offensive and defensive execution. The loss highlights the challenges facing Head Coach JJ Redick as he navigates a period of injury-related adversity and seeks to establish a consistent winning formula.
Maxime Kleber saw 14 minutes of action, registering 1 point, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, and shooting 0-for-1 from the field, 0-for-1 from three-point range, and 1-for-2 from the free-throw line, finishing with a +3 plus/minus. the author noted Kleber’s playing time as an possibility to shake off rust in a low-stakes game.
saturday’s inactives included Chris Mañon, LeBron James, Gabe Vincent, Austin Reaves, Christian Koloko, and Adou Thiero.
You can follow Jacob Rude on Twitter at @JacobRude or on BlueSky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
