The injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis have presented unexpected opportunities for the Los Angeles Lakers’ supporting cast to temporarily step into the spotlight.

Until Friday's 100-86 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center — their first dub without James this season — it hadn't gone all that well.

But even if they struggle to win games, these short-handed few weeks may end up making the 2020-21 Lakers better in the long-run — as long as they don't slip too far in the standings.

“This is only going to make us a scarier team when everybody gets back healthy,” Wes Matthews said Friday about the bigger responsibilities thrust upon the ensemble.

If you're glass is half-full, the extended absence will give both stars — especially James — convenient mental breaks, and both should be back with sufficient time to ramp up before the playoffs. It will also force players like Dennis Schröder, Kyle Kuzma, and Montrezl Harrell to shoulder more of a scoring load, and on down the line. The team will be forced to develop a scrappy side hat they didn't otherwise need to search for.

The stellar second-half performance of the star-less Lakers on Friday was a welcome sight. L.A.'s team defense reflected its no. 1 rating, as they set a season-high in steals (15) while forcing 23 turnovers and holding Cleveland to 23.1% from three. The Cavs' 86 points marked the lowest total against the Lakers since February of 2020. Following three inconsistent outings against the Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans, and Philadelphia 76ers, the Lakers somewhat resembled themselves in terms of two-way cohesion and “flying around” defense, as Vogel said.

Individually, L.A. was led by Schröder and Harrell – their best healthy bucket-getters. One day after nearly being traded and casting doubt on his future, Schröder proved his worth. He filled up the box score with 17 points, seven assists, five rebounds, four steals (and seven turnovers), while his pestering D — including a LeBron-like chase-down block — sparked the game-flipping 28-10 third-quarter barrage.

“He’s a warrior on the defensive end of the floor,” Harrell said.

Frank Vogel echoed Harrell’s praise.

“His effort is inspiring,” the coach said about his point guard. “That’s the care factor that we play with here. That’s why we’re the no. 1 defense in the league, we made hustle plays in transition like that, that’s part of our culture.”

Harrell continued his late push for Sixth Man of the Year consideration (he won the award in 2019-20), adding 24 points and 10 rebounds, including numerous rim-rattling facials. It was the sixth time Harrell has led the Lakers in scoring.

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Alex Caruso tied his career-high for steals (four) and customarily finished with one of the better plus/minus figures on the team, tying Matthews (+11). Talen Horton-Tucker dropped 15 points after a couple of rough nights.

Granted, it’s only one game against a lottery team playing without Collin Sexton and Kevin Love. But if Lakers Lite can bring that energy and execution, it should only bode well for their repeat quest once the roster is back at full strength.

“We got a lot of fighters on this team,” Vogel said. “Even though we’ve struggled at times…the competitive spirit’s been very high. This team has a high care-factor and loves to compete.”

Whether it's a good thing for the Lakers’ finances beyond the playoffs remains to be seen.

The Lakers are facing a handful of tricky personnel decisions this summer, as Schröder, Harrell, Horton-Tucker, Caruso, and Matthews are all set to be free agents.

Schröder has repeatedly stated his desire to remain in L.A. but a simultaneous interest in testing unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career. Per cap constraints, the Lakers can offer him a four-year, $83 million extension now, or compete with other teams on the open market (they have his Bird Rights). Schröder reportedly wants up to $20 million annually, and the Lakers may not be willing to go that high, despite what Jeanie Buss claims. If he plays like he did on Friday in the conference finals, his value will skyrocket.

The organization views Caruso and Horton-Tucker as long-term cogs, evidenced by their unwillingness to include the 20-year-old THT in a deal for six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry before the deadline.

Horton-Tucker’s salary situation is complex. To oversimplify: due to the Gilbert Arenas provision (new band name I call it), a restricted free agent with Horton-Tucker's tenure can receive “poison-pill” offers that exceed $80 million. Rob Pelinka almost has to match any offer now after passing on Lowry.

Caruso will be eligible for the full mid-level exception, and he may find teams willing him to offer the $9.5 million for next season.

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Kuzma — who had seven assists and eight rebounds vs. Cleveland in a concerted effort to display his all-around game — has a three-year, $40 million extension kicking in next year. James and Davis are locked into max deals.

In all, the re-signings of Caruso, THT, and Schröder – all expected, though not guaranteed — may cost the Lakers over $100 million in luxury tax.

Matthews, 34, has been a disappointment, but he showed his 3-and-D value on Friday. Don’t discount the possibility that he’ll end up having some big playoff moments.

Then there’s Trezz.

Besides a few momentary blips, Harrell been everything the Lakers could have wanted up to this point. He's setting career-highs in true-shooting percentage (66.2), field-goal percentage at the rim (76.0), rebounds per-36 minutes (9.6), and Win Shares per 48 (.235), and his verve has been vital.

Harrell has a player option for 2021-22, which he’ll assuredly decline. He should have no shortage of suitors after a second consecutive season as a premier Sixth Man, though his ability to defend in the playoffs will go a long way to determining his value.

The decision by Harrell (a Klutch client) to sign a 1+1 deal has always been thought of as a stopgap setting up a more lucrative deal, though it was also a consequence of his shortcomings in the bubble. A better playoff run defined by inspiring performances like Friday’s could cause the Lakers to reconsider and offer him up to $11.5 million per season (the max allowed). The franchise isn't exactly teeming with promising young bigs to fill his shoes.

Rob Pelinka has brilliantly assembled one of the best supporting casts in the league. If the group plays as they did on Friday through the playoffs, the Lakers might be fronting a far loftier luxury tax bill than they might’ve expected. They might be lofting another banner, too.