'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABgAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABggQAAICAwADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQABREGEiExAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEBREAAgEEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIAAxESMSFxwf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AyLU2qC3EtrW0bUfIy6vBCquSvPoEf4edPqQcmdp5FtYtndSOLVhEsyqoOtqsQAx50mPGMZXVURGA5ZmBPSofZVqhcdAWc6Fp/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The LA Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns on Friday night thanks to their role players. Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis played in the game, but they combined for only 30 points on 10-for-31 shooting.
Role players stepped up for the Lakers, carrying the load on offense. Three players scored 20 or more points, making James and Davis the fourth and fifth-best scorers on the team.
This was a pleasant surprise for Lakers fans, who know how dangerous their team can be when everyone is clicking. While the Suns didn't have many of their key players, including Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, it was still nice to see the Lakers' role players stepping up like that.
The LA Lakers did not get much scoring from Anthony Davis and LeBron James, but other players stepped up
D'Angelo Russell led the scoring charge on Friday night, dropping 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting. The point guard also knocked down six 3-point shots on only nine attempts.
Austin Reeves was also very efficient, scoring 22 points on only 13 shot attempts, while Malik Beasley added 21 points off the bench. These three players combined for 67 points on 60.9% shooting, which was very impressive.
"The West is shaking seeing this," one Twitter user posted after a fantastic performance by these players.
Others pointed out that the LA Lakers only won because of their role players.
You may be interested in reading: "You know the fix is in when Austin Reaves getting Joel Embiid calls" - NBA fans react to free throw disparity in favor of LA Lakers
Reeves, Russell and Beasley had to carry Davis and LeBron, who just couldn't score.
"Thank god for our role players," one Lakers fan tweeted. "Bron and AD were horrible."
While the fantastic trio received a lot of praise, some fans pointed out Rui Hachimura's stats. He spent 23 minutes on the floor and was very efficient.
The LA Lakers are one of the hottest teams in the league at the moment!
...and they've done a fantastic job since the All-Star break.
The Lakers now have a new big 3!
LeBron James had one of the worst games of his career on Friday night, scoring 16 points on 6-for-19. He also had five turnovers. Due to this, some fans don't consider him the greatest player of all time.
Despite poor stats, the 4-time NBA champion was still +11, which shows his significance to the team.
The LA Lakers will conclude their regular season with a matchup against the Utah Jazz on Sunday. While they can't avoid the play-in tournament, they can secure a home-court advantage through it with a victory.
You may be interested in reading: "Worst fanbase ever": NBA Fans react as Malik Beasley asks Lakers fans to leave his family alone
LeBron and his squad will play their first play-in game on Tuesday. If they win, they will advance to the playoffs to play against the Memphis Grizzlies. If they lose, however, they will have to win another play-in game to meet the Denver Nuggets in the first round.
Guess the Lakers players!
