LeBron James feels Lakers facing test without several ‘big pieces’

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James admitted the team is struggling without the services of their crucial players. The Lakers suffered a 134-132 overtime loss against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday.

JJ Redick’s men have managed only two wins in their last nine games and have suffered three losses on the bounce. James feels they are certainly missing the services of Austin Reaves, who is the bridge between their offense and defense.

The Lakers are also missing players like Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes. The Lakers bench was outscored 65-17 by the Atlanta Hawks as they could not bring their best.

“Mismatching with lineups, we’re trying to figure out ways, obviously,” James said. “So it’s very challenging. We don’t have much room for error. … It’s big, big, big, big pieces.”

Redick also concurred with LeBron James and said the team is definitely missing Austin Reaves.

“He’s like a connector for our offense, but he’s also a scorer and a playmaker,” Lakers coach JJ Redick, speaking before Friday’s game, said of Reaves, who has averaged 16.7 points and 4.8 assists per game this season. “He does both. And also, he’s highly competitive and he brings that juice every night.”

Meanwhile, Hayes has missed 12 out of their last 13 Lakers’ games due to a right ankle injury. Wood (left knee surgery) and Vanderbilt (right foot surgery and left knee fluid) are yet to play in the ongoing season.

Anthony Davis, who scored 38 points on 15-for-27 shooting, 10 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 blocks, said the team will have to make the most of their available resources.

“There’s no cavalry,” Davis said. “No one feels sorry for us. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. Just got to continue to put our head down and grind and work. Try to get back in the win column on Sunday against Portland. … No game’s going to be easy for us, so we got to go take the win.”

Added James: “I don’t know as far as what will get us over the hump. We just got to just not drown. Don’t drown and we’ll be all right.”

The Lakers will next play a Sunday home game against the Portland Trail Blazers.