After the Los Angeles Lakers recently had a team meeting, head coach Luke Walton inserted Julius Randle into the team's starting lineup against the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite 18 points and seven rebounds in 29 minutes, Randle could not snap the losing streak as the Lakers fell 121-106.
Following the team's fifth consecutive loss, Walton discussed his decision to start Randle for the first time during the 2017-18 NBA season.
“Julius has been great for us this whole season, so I wanted to give him a chance in there,” Walton said. “If we had won five out of six, we probably would've kept it how it is. I think he's done a phenomenal job in his role in coming off the bench for us. Due to injuries and due to the fact that we've been losing, we might as well try some new things out and see how they work. I thought he played hard tonight. I thought he had a nice game.”
Since Walton decided to start Larry Nance Jr. alongside Brook Lopez and Brandon Ingram in the frontcourt, there have been questions about Randle's role and minutes. Prior to his first start, the fourth-year forward was averaging 12.5 points and 6.3 rebounds in just 22.0 minutes.
As the Lakers embark on a two-game road trip against the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves to end 2017, it will be interesting to see if Randle continues to start against Nene Hilario and Karl-Anthony Towns.
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