Per the LA Instances:
Who was that masked man who stepped into the Lakers’ beginning lineup Thursday and turned what might need been an uncomfortable state of affairs right into a forceful bounceback victory over Charlotte throughout a very troublesome stretch of a still-difficult season?
With Cam Reddish unavailable in opposition to the Hornets due to a sore groin, coach Darvin Ham coyly mentioned earlier than the sport he’d play “somebody” in Reddish’s place. That “somebody” turned out to be Rui Hachimura, who’s nonetheless required to put on a face protecting after present process surgical procedure for a nasal fracture he suffered in November.
The lineup change, born of necessity quite than selection, proved a very good one. Hachimura mixed with reserves Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Max Christie and Christian Wooden to shut the third quarter with a 14-5 surge that helped prolong what had been a one-point lead at halftime to 19 after three. The identical 5 gamers additionally began the fourth quarter, placing sufficient house between the Lakers and the Hornets (7-22) to permit LeBron James and Anthony Davis to be spectators for the ultimate 12 minutes of an eventual 133-112 romp.
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