Bradley Beal and Devin Booker, the Suns’ Finest Players will Miss the Lakers’ Opening Game
Date : 27th October, 2023
THE SOIL – The Los Angeles Lakers prepare to play the undermanned Phoenix Suns team this Thursday in an attempt to bounce back from their season-opening loss. Unfortunately, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker, two of the Suns’ best players, will miss the Lakers’ opening home game of the year.
Beal, who was traded by the Washington Wizards to the Suns during the offseason, missed Phoenix’s most recent 108-104 victory against the Golden State Warriors because of lower back pain. But in that same game, Booker turned in a remarkable performance, leading the team with 32 points and dishing out 8 assists. But he’ll be unable to play against the Lakers because of a persistent problem with his left foot.
The regularly productive Kevin Durant, who is only 37 points shy of passing Hakeem Olajuwon and locking up the 12th slot on the all-time scoring chart, will be a member of Phoenix’s squad.
![Lakers](https://thesoilnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/6174338012_6564f69cc2_c.jpg)
The Lakers' inability to produce Offence When LeBron James Was Not in Game, an Important Lessons Learned From the Loss
In response to a question about guarding the Suns star, Lakers guard Austin Reaves stated, “I think when KD misses, it’s more so he missed,” at shootaround on Thursday. “You can compete, play excellent defence, get a solid contest, and try to make things more difficult for him, but he’s seven feet tall with a seven-and-a-half-inch wingspan. What is it, then, whenever he shoots it, especially for me at eight foot three? — but the shot is unstoppable whenever he lets go of it.”
The lack of points from Anthony Davis in the second half of the game and the Lakers’ inability to produce much offence when LeBron James was not in the game were two important lessons learned from the loss.
In the second half, Davis stated that the Nuggets double-teamed him as a strategy. After going 0-for-6 after the half, he made a point of saying, “I need to take more shots,” as he actively looked for opportunities to transfer the ball to his teammates.
When asked how the Lakers can compensate, Reaves responded, “It’s tough sometimes because you want to stay spaced and give him the opportunity so when teams double, regardless of who it is, Bron or AD, then they have that opening to pass it.” “I feel like we need to just cause a little more confusion on the backside so teams can’t load up.”
![Austin Reaves](https://thesoilnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Austin_Reaves_51959765431_cropped.jpeg)
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LeBron James Played 29 Minutes in The Lakers' Opening-Round Victory Over Denver
In addition to creating offensive dynamics, Los Angeles’ supporting group needs to think about how to keep LeBron James’ playing time limited to about 28 to 30 minutes per game this season.
LeBron James played 29 minutes in the Lakers’ opening-round victory over Denver. The Lakers had a seven-point lead at that moment. But in the 19 minutes that LeBron was off the court, they were behind by 19 points.
James’ offseason partner Rui Hachimura said on Thursday, “When he’s not in the game, I need to step up both offensively and defensively, just like he’s been doing.” “He’s all over the court, making the most of his physicality. I have to be more present in that area, especially when he’s not playing. The team wants this, which is why Bron and I have discussed me taking up his role as his backup.”
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![Rui](https://thesoilnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/49645266122_f88af359f3_c.jpg)