No! A sudden wave of injuries! Another Lakers starter goes down.

It's difficult, extremely difficult.

Following Reeves (left gastrocnemius grade 2 strain), yet another Lakers starter has gone down...

Rui Hachimura suffers from right calf pain and is expected to be out for a weekThis guy is in a contract year this season, averaging 12.7 points and 3.8 rebounds so far, shooting 52.1% from the field, including 1.8 three-pointers per game at a 44.5% shooting percentage.

By the way, both Reeves and Hachimura are hot commodities in the trade market, so when they return, they might not even be wearing a Lakers jersey anymore. (just saying)

Due to this sudden injury surge, the Lakers’ strength has been severely weakened, going 1-4 in their last five games, losing by an average margin of 21 points in those defeats, including losses of 22 to the Pistons, 23 to the Rockets, 24 to the Suns, and 15 to the Clippers.

Especially in the Lakers’ home game, a heavy 106-128 loss to the Eastern Conference leader Pistons on LeBron James’ 41st birthday night, where he couldn’t celebrate with a win, shooting just 6 of 17 for 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.

In contrast, the Clippers recently crushed the Pistons 112-99 at home, defending the honor of Los Angeles teams ahead of schedule.

Since “sacrificing” starting center Zubac (grade 2 left ankle sprain), the Clippers seem reborn and undefeated, currently on a five-game winning streak—the longest active streak in the league—beating the Lakers, Rockets, Trail Blazers, Pistons, and Kings, each by double digits.

During the Clippers’ five-game winning streak, Leonard has undoubtedly been the biggest contributor, averaging a phenomenal 37.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.8 steals per game.He has demonstrated overwhelming dominance on both ends of the court, truly unstoppable—no one can stand in his way now. Opponents just get scared when facing him.

Northward march, northward march, northward march—important things said thrice, the super battleship officially sets sail.

So far, the Lakers stand fifth in the West with a 20-11 record, just 1.5 games ahead of the seventh-place Suns; the Clippers are 13th with 11-21, trailing the tenth-place Trail Blazers by 2.5 games.