The Los Angeles Lakers are showing promise after a lackluster preseason, now boasting a 10-4 record and sitting third in the Western Conference. Their latest win came over the Utah Jazz. With LeBron James leading the way, the Lakers are proving they have what it takes to compete at a high level this season.
LeBron played a pivotal role in the win against the Jazz, delivering a stellar performance with 26 points and 12 assists. His leadership and consistency have been instrumental in turning the Lakers’ early-season fortunes around. Thankfully, the Lakers’ injury report does not include LeBron, ensuring his availability for the highly anticipated matchup against the Orlando Magic.
However, the injury list does feature several notable players. Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes are ruled out due to knee and ankle injuries. Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Bronny James, and Jalen Hood-Schifino are all listed as questionable, leaving their status uncertain.
The Lakers’ next challenge comes from the Orlando Magic. The Magic are currently riding a six-game winning streak. They have been on fire, making this game a test of the Lakers’ adaptability amid injury concerns.
LeBron James Calls Out Teams That Passed On Dalton Knecht
In this season’s draft, the Los Angeles Lakers picked Dalton Knecht as the No. 17 overall. Nevertheless, it was stunning that 16 other NBA teams left the chance to pick the standout college star before the Lakers. After Knecht’s career-best game against the Utah Jazz, LeBron remained quick to slam all those 16 teams that passed on Knecht.
“They didn’t find DK. The other 16 teams f—ed it up. Anybody watch him? S–t! They just didn’t f–k it up. You don’t ‘find’ a SEC player of the year,” James said.
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Knecht also made history with his performance against Utah. He is now the fourth player to make nine 3-pointers in a single game, alongside Kobe Bryant, D’Angelo Russell, and LeBron James.
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