Lakers’ Original Starting Five Returns, Sparks Winning Effort Against Thunder

In a strategic move, the Los Angeles Lakers reverted to their original starting five of the season, featuring Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Taurean Prince, and the superstar duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The lineup showed promise, contributing to a winning effort against the formidable Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night.

The starting five established a 21-19 lead early in the game and displayed a plus-2.9 net rating in the 19 minutes they played together. This return to the initial lineup, as intended by Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, signifies a shift back to a familiar and comfortable configuration. Austin Reaves, finishing as a game-high plus-nine with seven assists, expressed confidence in the chemistry of the group.

“This is the lineup we started with this year and something that we feel comfortable with. We’ve had some chemistry together, and we like what we can do with this group,” Reaves stated.

Despite defensive challenges, with a defensive rating of 124.4 in their 19 minutes together, Reaves believes the issues are fixable. He emphasized the need for the group to compete, trust each other, and communicate effectively on the defensive end. The Lakers’ victory against a strong offensive team like the Thunder provides optimism and momentum for the team as they reach the midpoint of the 2023-24 season.

Looking ahead, the Lakers plan to stick with this starting lineup, aiming to build on their success against the Thunder. The next challenge awaits them as they face the Dallas Mavericks in a primetime matchup on Wednesday night. Reaves particularly appreciates sharing the court with D’Angelo Russell, describing it as an honor to play alongside the talented and experienced guard.