After a disappointing first exit for the defending champions of the 2020 NBA finals, they were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by the newly built Pheonix Suns who added veteran players like Jae Crowder and superstar Chris Paul in the off-season of 2020. LA Lakers were bombarded with injuries was the main cause for losing the first round as LeBron James got injured in mid-season ended up spraining his and AD had Achilles scares and during the playoffs he pulled his groin.
After this loss Lakers restructured their entire team and added veteran shooters and size to their bench, as Melo debuts he went 4-10 from the field with 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in 17 minutes. Anthony Davis struggled to find his shooting, scoring 14 points on 5-14 shooting along with 8 rebounds and 2 assists in 25 minutes, and Talen Horton Tucker also 11 points on 3 of 7 shooting from the field, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists in 24 minutes.
Up at the break! #ValleyProud pic.twitter.com/R9pE8iIIur
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 6, 2021
As 2nd half unveils Malik Monk who was acquired from Charlotte Hornets has continued to impress with his shooting and multiple ways to score the basketball finishing with a team-high 18 points on 7-11 shooting and 4-7 from deep. Several notable names were absent for the Lakers again as Westbrook and LeBron James sat out for the second straight game to start the preseason and for the Suns their main scorer Devin Booker was also missing. They were joined by Dwight Howard, who did play on Sunday against the Nets, and Trevor Ariza, who has missed nearly a week of practice and game time due to an injury. Lakers no will go on to continue their pre-season facing Golden State Warrior on Saturday.
Next stop: SF ✈️ pic.twitter.com/ubQL2WWXRe
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 7, 2021
