It was just over two weeks ago that the Los Angeles Lakers were celebrating a thumping of the Golden State Warriors and near the top of the Western Conference standings, nipping at the heels of the Denver Nuggets for first place.
But the win on Christmas Day came with LeBron James suffering a strained groin in the third quarter, and Rajon Rondo a Grade 3 sprain of his right ring finger that required surgery to repair a damaged ligament.
James and Rondo have each missed the past nine games and it’s uncertain when either will return. James figures to be closest to that point, having been cleared for an increase in on-court work, but he’s due to miss at least two more games.