On Sunday, the Los Angeles Lakers earned their first win in regulation without LeBron James of the season, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 114-106 at Staples Center.

Barring a couple of tight moments, it was a relatively comfortable afternoon for Los Angeles. In the short term, that was just what the doctor ordered for a Lakers team coming off an embarrassing blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, preceded by two overtime games, and with the Chicago Bulls coming into town on Monday.

In the long run, the game presented a few key bright spots that may prove critical as the Lakers navigate the 2021-22 NBA season. Let's spotlight three of them.

1) Welcome back, Talen Horton-Tucker

The defining story from Sunday was the season debut of (still somehow!) 20-year old Talen Horton-Tucker, who missed the first 13 games due to right thumb surgery. Vogel gave him the starting nod.

Fortunately, because the injury was to his hand, THT could remain in playing shape. He had begun ramping up his shooting in the past week. As a result, he was ready.

Horton-Tucker was eagerly flying around on defense and impactfully attacking-the-rim on offense. His sheer presence and activity were influential — reflected by his game-high +14. He finished with 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting in 27 minutes.

“To come out in his first game and do what he did was unreal,” Davis said about THT. “I'm impressed. His first game and to come in and do what he did to help us win was huge and a sign of his hard work. A lot of guys usually come back and are kind of rusty, but he came in like he had been playing with us this whole time.”

THT is the Lakers' fourth-highest paid player and arguably fourth-most important. The Lakers have sky-high expectations for him. They hope he can be a lead-ballhandler at times, generate looks with his paint attacks, and be a wing stopper on defense.

“He’s got good feet, he can really contain the basketball,” Vogel said. His length is a factor in deflections and on the boards. He puts a lot of pressure on the rim which just helps everything for us… It’s great to have him back, on both sides.”

In his first outing of the season, he validated that confidence and pressure. His return is season-altering.

“We'll see,” Vogel said when asked if he'll continue as the starter. “He's going to be a big part of what we do, though. We know that. We invested in him this summer for a reason. We have a strong belief in that young man and what he can do on both sides of the ball. Obviously, when we get whole, we got a lot of good choices but he's going to be a big part of it.”

2) Take a seat, Kent Bazemore and DeAndre Jordan (for now)

Vogel said he wanted to shake things up after a rough few games and with a fluid injury list. He inserted THT and Carmelo Anthony into the starting five for the first time this season. For one game, the moves proved wildly successful. Anthony posted 15 points and six rebounds on 5-of-7 shooting (2-of-3 from deep) in 30 minutes.

Consequently, Bazemore and Jordan were booted from the starting group, and, it turned out, the rotation entirely. Both players were DNPs — perhaps a welcome sight to Lakers fans, who had become frustrated with their recent struggles.

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Generally speaking, Jordan should not be playing. His productive plays (lobs, swats, boards) stand out but don't compensate for his shortcomings. The more Vogel shies away from DJ, the better. In general, Vogel said the small-lineup is what the Lakers need right now.

Bazemore may still play an essential role as a two-way wing for a team without a ton of wing defensive talent. But not until he breaks out of his funk — his shooting slump began affecting the rest of his game. Maybe a temporarily scaled-back role will help.

3) The emergence of Wayne Ellington

Ellington's fit has proven seamless since he made his season debut on Nov. 4.

The veteran's off-ball movement and gravitational pull open the floor up for Davis (34 points), Russell Westbrook, and THT (and LeBron, when he returns) to tread downhill. He competes on defense.

“As I've gotten to be a better shooter, it's something that I've really locked in on,” Ellington told ClutchPoints about his off-ball skills. “I think that's also something that's gonna help me on this team: being able to run, being able to continue to move — run this way, and understand how to drag the defense with me, open up spaces and gaps for the likes of Bron and Russ and AD. Those things are just as important as making a 3.”

Of course, Ellington is making his 3s too. He nailed 5-of-7 against San Antonio and has hit 13-0f-23 over his past four games.

Don't be surprised to see The Duke earn the starting shooting guard spot soon. Malik Monk (16 points, 6-of-10 FG) is making a case, too.