The Los Angeles Lakers have started their four-game road trip with a victory in Ohio. In the 2023 edition of LeBron James‘ homecoming, the King notched a decent 22 points. However, credit to Darvin Ham and the Lakers for finding equilibrium within their new lineup, beating the Cavs 121-115. Anthony Davis, after 16 games into the season, finally breached the 30-point threshold—an essential feat as the Lakers struggled, shooting less than 35% from beyond the arc.

Eight Lakers stepped on the court throughout the game. In a rare sight, seven of them achieved double-digit scoring; excluding just the starter Taurean Prince. The starters commanded early on as their bench delivered a powerful performance.

Darvin Ham has good words for the Max Christie

Making just his second start, the 6’4 guard showcased his readiness to back up the squad against the Cavaliers. Max Christie, though only in his early stages as a starter, demonstrated visible improvement in scoring compared to his previous outing. However, his standout contributions materialized on the defensive side of the court. Post-game, Darvin Ham ensured the youngster got the recognition he deserved.

Despite facing early challenges as a starter, Anthony Davis also expressed optimism about Max Christe. It’s evident that the Lakers place significant trust in their second-year guard.

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Huge injury scares for the Cavaliers

In their bid to defend their home turf against the Lakers, the Cleveland Cavaliers found their superstars grappling with injuries; particularly two of the most efficient scorers. Donovan Mitchell was visibly limping as the game was proceeding towards the closing stages. Even though Mitchell played 35 minutes, it was a sight fans did not want to see.

However, head coach JB Bickerstaff assured that the guard is in good shape and has managed to steer clear of any injuries. Mitchell has recently returned after a four-game absence due to a hamstring injury. He is crucial for the Cavs to maintain their confident streak, especially given the intensity of the ongoing games.

Meanwhile, Darius Garland gave fans a shock early in the game. Despite playing just 14 minutes, Garland was ruled out for the remainder of the night due to a neck strain. While Bickerstaff mentioned that Garland is doing okay, he hinted at disclosing the details and severity of the issue only after specific tests were conducted. (expected to be tomorrow morning)

While Mitchell will actively participate for the Cavs, Garland’s situation will unfold over time. Interestingly, like Mitchell, Darius had also missed four games for the Cavs earlier this season due to a hamstring injury.

Will the Cavs’ season be derailed due to these potential injuries? Let us know in the comments.

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