The Los Angeles Lakers finally received some good news as they will welcome back one of their starters against the Portland Trail Blazers. While superstar Anthony Davis will still be in street clothes for the sixth straight game, point guard Dennis Shroder has been cleared to play after missing four games due to the league's health and safety protocols.
Lakers head coach Frank Vogel confirmed this ahead of tip-off on Friday at Staples Center, via ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
Dennis Schroder will return to the starting lineup tonight, per Frank Vogel.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 27, 2021
This is definitely a welcome development for the defending champions, who have been sorely missing the services of their two-way guard. The Purple and Gold are currently in the midst of their worst stretch of the 2020-21 campaign, losing four straight games that Dennis Schroder missed.
AD's lengthy absence due to an Achilles strain is indeed problematic for LeBron James and Co. but having the 27-year-old German playmaker back should make things a bit easier for them moving forward. In his first season with the Lakers, Schroder has been averaging 14.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 31.1 percent from downtown in 29 games.
The 6-foot-3 guard has stepped up as LA's third-leading scorer behind Davis and LeBron. James, meanwhile, has been forced to carry a heavy load in Davis and Schroder's absence. The King will need all the help he can get against Lillard and the Blazers, who have also figured in a losing streak of their own, dropping their last three contests.
Schroder's return, meanwhile, does not guarantee that the Lakers will get back to their winning ways. After all, he might still need his legs back after that significant absence.
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