Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers are riding high off their 127-105 win over the Golden State Warriors. Warriors rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg exchanged verbal blows with Dončić all night, but it didn’t stop the 27-year-old superstar from dropping 28 points.
Lendeborg is known for not having a filter, and he expressed his frustration with the 6x All-Star during his first post-game press conference.
Now that the drama is over, it’s time to move on, and the Lakers have a chance to win the next four games if they perform.
Breaking Down the Next Few Games
Their next matchup will take place against Darius Garland and the Los Angeles Clippers. On paper, the Lakers have the advantage in every area over their inner-city counterparts.
After trading their beacon of light in Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, the writing was on the wall for the impending rebuild. They got Brandon Ingram in return, but the 29-year-old All-Star will miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery to repair his right heel.
Doctors discovered a partially torn Achilles during the procedure, extending the duration of Ingram’s rehabilitation. Injuries are unfortunately a part of the game, but it won’t stop the Lakers from taking advantage.
After that, the Lakers fly out to Salt Lake City. Darryn Peterson and the Utah Jazz will offer more resistance to the 18-time champions, given Utah’s young, budding core.
Nonetheless, the Jazz were the worst team in the West just last year, so barring injuries, the Lakers should improve to 2-0. It’ll be an early reunion for Walker Kessler and his former teammates.
He dominated the paint in his Lakers debut, finishing with 26 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. Most notably, he shot 12/12 from the field, and with a matchup against Jaxson Hayes on the horizon, Kessler could replicate a similar performance.
The Blazers Will Bring the Best Competition
The hardest game of the next four will be against the new-look Portland Trail Blazers. Ja Morant and Damian Lillard have joined forces with rising star Deni Avdija. Newly minted Blazers head coach Micah Nori combined all three stars in the starting lineup, and the trio makes a devastating offensive force.
Portland’s dynamic backcourt will provide a healthy defensive litmus test for Dončić and Austin Reaves. This game matters even more so for L.A. when considering that the two could potentially match up in the playoffs.
Defeating them next Tuesday night will also tell us a lot about the team’s perimeter defense as a whole. If Lillard and Morant get the better of the Lakers’ backcourt, coach JJ Redick may need to look to his bench. Quentin Grimes can guard all three of the Blazers, while Matisse Thybulle is a defensive stalwart in the second unit.
Both new signings will provide a reliable contingency plan should Redick need to make an adjustment. After battling the Blazers, the Lakers will run it back with the Clippers in enemy territory at the Intuit Dome.
The Impact of a Strong Start
Starting the season 5-0 will boost the new locker room’s positive vibes and confidence. Additionally, if Los Angeles wants to secure home-court advantage in the playoffs, they must have a very dominant record.
Of course, wins aren’t guaranteed in the NBA, but the Lakers, as a franchise, are always expected to achieve greatness.
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