Lakers Set to Make Playoff Push Without Key Players

Depth is arguably the biggest factor when trying to win a 7-game series in the NBA playoffs. Prior to the season, the Los Angeles Lakers were poised to be a nightmare matchup, due to their deep bench. 

With news breaking out about Christian Wood’s arthroscopic knee surgery, the Lakers seem to be getting thinner and thinner at each position. 

Wood, who has brought an outside shooting touch into the second unit, will be out for at least the remainder of the regular season. This means the Lakers will need to rely on Jaxson Hayes to supply the bench scoring at the center position. 

Darvin Ham spoke on what the purple and gold will miss with Wood out. “His skillset, his ability to defensive rebound, his ability to stretch the floor…it’s a huge blow.”

Other notable injuries

They are also likely to be without Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt as they recover from their injuries. 

Vanderbilt’s injury has been the most noticeable, because of his hounding perimeter defense, and the energy he brings day in and day out. 

Missing 40 games this season, Vanderbilt’s foot injury is a huge reason the Lakers haven’t lived up to their full potential defensively. Being one of the premier lockdown defenders, L.A. will need him back for the playoffs. 

Gabe Vincent has been working out individually, but there is still uncertainty about the timetable for his return. The Lakers have played most of the season without Vincent, which has allowed them to have a consistent rotation at the guard position.

With Vincent’s break-out performance last year for the Miami Heat, the Lakers are eager to have him back on the court in time for the playoffs.

Lakers’ key role players have missed a total of 144 games this season, so they have been able to build some cohesiveness with the players they have had on the floor.

The one bright side, is that Cam Reddish will be available to play on Friday night when the Lakers host the 76ers. Reddish has missed 29 games for the Lake Show this season due to an ankle injury.

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