The Los Angeles Lakers’ season ended prematurely, unfortunately, as they were defeated by the Phoenix Suns in the first round after Anthony Davis missed time due to a groin injury and LeBron James was playing hobbled with a high ankle sprain.
The silver lining of an early exit is that the Lakers will now have a full offseason to get healthy, a luxury they did not have last year after winning the championship in the Orlando bubble and then only having 71 days to get ready for 2020-21.
James especially could use the rest as the 36-year-old gets ready to go into his 19th NBA season.