Three games into the 2023-24 NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers are 1-2 after losing to the Sacramento Kings in overtime on Sunday. They have several issues to address, including defensive rebounding, defending three-pointers and making sure they don’t trail for long.
In addition, the Lakers themselves also have a three-point shooting problem. They shot just 33.3 percent from downtown on Sunday, while their starting backcourt of D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reeves combined to shoot 2-for-13 from that distance. This distance is enough for the Arctic’s melting ice cap to thicken.
On the other hand, their dynamic duo performed brilliantly.
LeBron James had 27 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists, and Anthony Davis had 30 points, 16 rebounds and 3 blocks. This made them the first Lakers duo to score 25 points and 15 rebounds in a game since Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant in 2002.
Ironically, the last time O’Neal and Kobe did this, Los Angeles’ opponent was also the Kings.
Anthony Davis and LeBron James are the first Lakers pair to each score 25 points and 15 rebounds in a game since Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant against the Kings on Christmas Day 2002 The combination.
The last duo to do that for any team was Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan in 2014.
— Matt Williams (@StatsWilliams) October 30, 2023
If Los Angeles finds a way to get others in, especially its starting backcourt, it should find a way to get into a groove over the next few weeks.