Los Angeles — The Lakers were without Kyle Kuzma (back), LeBron James (groin) and Rajon Rondo in their 119-112 loss to the New York Knicks, leaving a void in production and leadership at the top of the team. Lance Stephenson says that moving forward, he’s ready to fill it.
“I got to pick it up. I’m gonna put it all on me. I’ve got to be that veteran, that leader and get my teammates going so we can win these games,” Stephenson said after the loss in response to a question about how the Lakers would win games without Rondo, James and (possibly) Kuzma, who has since been listed as questionable for the Lakers’ next game.