The Los Angeles Lakers snapped their three-game losing streak Sunday night, defeating the Phoenix Suns 116-102, despite not having LeBron James, Lonzo Ball, and Kyle Kuzma. Now, Josh Hart is reportedly dealing with an injury.
Josh Hart is battling through some bad tendinitis right now, according to Luke Walton. Hart asked to come out of the game tonight. He was icing his knee on the bench. #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) January 28, 2019
If Hart misses a significant amount of time, that means four of the Lakers' five starters will be out. This comes at an inopportune time, as their next six games will be against playoff contenders (Sixers twice, Warriors, Pacers, Clippers, Celtics).
Hart is putting up 8.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game this season.
The Lakers were riding a strong wave of momentum after beating the Golden State Warriors last Christmas, but injuries to LeBron and veteran guard Rajon Rondo slowed them down.
Since then, the team has struggled to win games. They've lost against cellar-dwelling teams like the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, the Lakers are down to the ninth spot in the West.
The Lakers still have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs though, but they will have to rely on the players that they have right now. Ivica Zubac and Brandon Ingram will be the primary options on offense, while guys like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Beasley, and Rajon Rondo will have to double their production if Los Angeles wants to somehow survive this upcoming stretch.
With the status of LeBron still up in the air, the Lakers are in a very difficult position right now, but they have to make good with what they have.
It is now up to Ingram to prove his worth to this franchise.
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