The Los Angeles Lakers are feeling the weight of a tough stretch, and Saturday’s 103-88 loss to the Clippers only underscored how thin things are getting. By the final buzzer, they were without four of their regular starters - a tough pill for any team, even one with LeBron James still carrying the torch.
Austin Reaves (left calf strain), Deandre Ayton (left elbow soreness), and Rui Hachimura (right groin soreness) were all sidelined before the game even tipped off. Then, during the action, Luka Doncic exited with a left leg contusion. That left LeBron out there trying to hold it together, essentially on an island.
But as LeBron reminded reporters postgame, this is the NBA - no excuses.
“No matter what the circumstances are, it's still next man up,” James said. “We're all professionals. We all got to stay ready.”
That mindset is going to be tested in a big way over the next stretch. With the Lakers battered and searching for answers, there’s a real window of opportunity for some lesser-used players - and one name to keep an eye on is rookie Adou Thiero.
Thiero’s Opportunity May Be Now
Thiero hasn’t seen much floor time this season - just 5.5 minutes per game over 11 appearances. He’s been more of a developmental project for head coach JJ Redick, and the Lakers haven’t rushed that process. But with the rotation thinning out and the need for defensive energy rising, Thiero might find his number called more frequently.
He’s not going to suddenly leap into a major role, but there’s a path to meaningful minutes - and it starts with defense.
Thiero’s G League stint with South Bay has been encouraging. In three games, he’s averaged 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals while shooting an efficient 55.6% from the field.
The numbers are solid, but what really jumps off the screen is his athleticism. The former Arkansas product plays with bounce, length, and quick-twitch movement that makes you think he could become a real problem on the defensive end.
And that’s exactly the kind of player the Lakers need right now.
Defense Is the Way In
Marcus Smart said it best earlier this season when talking about carving out a role:
“We got a lot of guys that can score the ball. There's not a lot of guys that wanna play defense. So being able to go out there and play that defensive role gets you on the court.”
That quote might as well be pinned in Thiero’s locker. If he wants to stick in Redick’s rotation - even just for a few games - it’s going to come down to effort, energy, and stops.
The Lakers have been searching for reliable perimeter defense all year. Injuries have only magnified that weakness. If Thiero can harness his athleticism and turn it into on-ball pressure, smart rotations, and hustle plays, he could earn himself a real opportunity - not just a cameo.
A Developmental Year, But Not a Lost One
Let’s be clear: the Lakers aren’t suddenly turning the keys over to their second-round rookie. This season was always going to be about developing players like Thiero slowly, giving them reps in the G League and spot minutes when the moment called for it.
Well, the moment might be calling.
With key players banged up and LeBron doing everything he can to keep the team afloat, the Lakers need fresh legs and defensive grit. Thiero has a chance to provide both. And while the box score might not reflect it just yet, the next few games could be a proving ground for the 21-year-old.
It’s not about lighting up the scoreboard. It’s about doing the dirty work, showing the coaching staff he can be trusted, and earning his place one possession at a time.
In a season where the Lakers are still figuring out their identity, that kind of contribution could go a long way - not just for Thiero, but for a team that desperately needs a spark.