It's well documented that the Los Angeles Lakers have struggled in light of injuries to LeBron James and Rajon Rondo. In their absence, it's been up to young players like Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Brandon Ingram to pick up the pace. However, it hasn't been easy as the team has gone 1-5 in James' absence. The most recent loss came on Sunday with a 108-86 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
After the game, Lakers head coach Luke Walton discussed his younger players and how he'd like to see just a bit more from them moving forward.
"They're trying, but they're young," Walton said regarding Ball and Ingram, according to ESPN. "At some point, we need more passion. We need more fight. And that's not scoring more. That's more diving for loose balls, communicating loudly, grabbing [rebounds].
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Kuzma has also been out with lower back injury lately, which has made it even harder for the Lakers to get things going. Ball finished with 0 points in the game, his second scoreless game of the season.
"We weren't physical enough," Ball explained. "That's a big, strong team over there. I don't think we brought the fight today."
The Lakers will try to get back in the winning swing of things when they take on the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.
