3 Lakers Players That Need to Step up With Anthony Davis Sidelined

Anthony Davis will be sidelined for at least four weeks. This means that the Los Angeles Lakers will have to find a solution. It also means that players will have to elevate their game. Davis’ injury is not the only problem LA has to deal with at the moment. COVID-19 forced players to enter the NBA’s health and safety protocols. LeBron James spent a few days on the COVID list but it was a big misunderstanding.

Russell Westbrook will have to step up. The Lakers got him for a reason and he needs to contribute to the game. Broddie is averaging 19.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from beyond the arc.

Westbrook has yet to win a ring and he really thought that the Lakers will increase his chances to become a champion. The Lakers veteran struggled with inconsistency early in the regular season. He has had some struggles in the last couple of games, too. If you are into stats, you probably know that Westbrook is averaging 16.6 points per game while shooting 48.8 percent from the field in the last nine games with the team. He is one of the most competitive players in the NBA and LA needs to see more of his competitiveness.

Russell Westbrook is shooting 52.6% on corner threes this season. pic.twitter.com/mq9Rm2p2TC

— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 16, 2021

New players to elevate their game while Anthony Davis is sidelined

The same goes to Trevor Ariza. He missed the first couple of months of the regular season and now he has a chance to do something good. The front office wants to see more from him. The elite defender has to step up. In the 2020-21 NBA season, Ariza was averaging 9.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 41.1 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from beyond the arc.

Trevor Ariza said that for the most part, “I felt pretty good” physically in his first game back after weeks of rehabilitation on his ankle.

The speed of the game takes a minute to catch up to, but he clearly knows where to be and when.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 20, 2021

And last but not least, we have Talen Horton-Tucker. He earned a thick deal with the team and now he has to meet everyone’s expectations.

He’s so SPECIAL!!! He’s HIM https://t.co/rDIjp7SDXt

— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 14, 2021

So far in the regular season, THT is shooting 38.2 percent from the field and 24.2 percent from the arc. LA wanted more than that. He has to step up and help his teammates.