Listed here are 5 takeaways from the Lakers’ 109-98 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday evening:

1. In order that’s who’s out East

As if the black-and-white uniforms had unlocked his superpowers, James Harden yo-yoed the ball from one hand to the opposite, controlling every little thing with a wonderfully positioned go or a patented step-back jumper. Kyrie Irving, who wasn’t having his greatest evening, nonetheless modified speeds in methods no transmission can.

With a lot consideration on the celebs — it needs to be there, they’re stars — the Brooklyn Nets’ supporting forged both had wide-open photographs or wide-open driving lanes, carving up an undermanned and overwhelmed Lakers protection.

And all of the whereas, Kevin Durant, Brooklyn’s greatest participant, watched in a hoodie and shorts, a smile sometimes capturing throughout his face whereas he watched his teammates work.

This was how the Brooklyn Nets launched themselves to the Lakers — dominant sufficient to construct a 25-point lead, commanding sufficient to persuade the Lakers to tug the plug earlyin the fourth.

Positive, the Lakers had been down two starters in Anthony Davis (strained calf) and Dennis Schroder (well being and security protocol), however the Nets didn’t simply appear like an eventual speedbump to repeating with an NBA Finals matchup. They appeared like a potential downside.

“You do not have a look at too many video games in the course of the season the place you could have a measuring stick, however whenever you do, you wish to be full. They usually weren’t full as effectively,” LeBron James mentioned. “You do not know actually how one can go about that. However you may at all times discover methods to get higher regardless of who’s within the lineup.”

And who wasn’t there may’ve been the story of the evening.

2. It lastly occurred

Earlier than the sport Lakers coach Frank Vogel mentioned he was excited to look at Schroder, the Lakers’ peskiest guard, attempt to disrupt Irving’s offense. Minutes later, Vogel was instructed Schroder was unavailable to play — the reason is the dreaded well being and security protocols.

“I am unable to say something with readability how quickly he’ll be again,” Vogel mentioned after the sport.

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Whereas the Lakers know they’ll be with out Davis for an estimated 4 weeks — a quantity they revealed after he was reevaluated Thursday — Schroder’s absence is open-ended.

Until introduced by a participant or his illustration, the explanation why Schroder is within the protocol will in all probability stay a thriller for now. If it was an inconclusive take a look at or a false constructive, he might shortly rejoin the crew. If it was a constructive take a look at or publicity to another person who examined constructive, the absence could possibly be longer.

“Coming into the season, we already knew it was going to be a problem, simply from the protocols itself. The virus continues to be occurring and every little thing that goes with that,” James mentioned. “You already knew it was going to be a problem coming into the season so it should not be a shock whenever you’re hit with some adversity. I believe adversity builds character.”

3. Trez troubles

It appeared like the proper sport for Montrezl Harrell, with 6-foot-11 Marc Gasol largely ineffective due to Brooklyn’s choice to go small, creating a chance for somebody as lively as 6-7 Harrell.

As an alternative, he performed quarter-hour — 4 lower than even Gasol — largely a nonfactor within the Lakers’ loss. With Harrell on the court docket in these quarter-hour, his crew was outscored by 19.

“We went on a giant drought once we went to our second unit,” Vogel mentioned, including the crew wished to attempt to discover a ground spacer to maneuver Nets heart DeAndre Jordan away from the basket.

It’s the second disappointing efficiency for the reigning Sixth Man of the Yr in three video games, with the Lakers additionally shedding when he scored simply 4 factors in a loss to Denver.

4. Lacking greater than stars

The Lakers had been with out greater than Davis and Schroder. They once more had no semblance of the capturing contact that helped them get off to such a robust begin this season.

The Lakers made solely eight three-pointers — outscored by 30 factors from deep by the Nets — and two of these makes got here late within the fourth quarter with the sport already determined.

It was one more sport the place the Lakers had been under 30% from lengthy vary, the crew now among the many worst within the league from deep.

“We simply gotta let that factor fly. Shoot with confidence and we’ll get in a rhythm,” veteran guard Wesley Matthews mentioned. “I imply that’s all it’s about, rhythm. … We’re not apprehensive in regards to the capturing. That’ll come round. We’ve received too many guys that may fill it up from the three-point line.”

5. LeBron longevity

The indicators of James’ sustained greatness had been in all places Thursday, a day when he was as soon as once more named an All-Star starter, a file seventeenth consecutive time. Thursday was additionally the 19-year anniversary of James’ first look on the quilt of Sports activities Illustrated.

Fittingly, he crossed a serious threshold within the first half towards the Nets, making a free throw for his 35,000th profession level. He’s simply the third participant to succeed in that milestone, getting there quicker than Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

“Initially, I’m very humbled and really grateful to be a part of such an amazing league and I like to do what … I imply, it’s a privilege to do what I like to do and that’s play the sport of basketball, proceed to encourage the youth and for me to be linked with a few of the greats to ever play this sport,” James mentioned. “It’s at all times an honor. And I at all times simply wish to go on the market and play the sport the correct means, encourage my teammates, encourage people who watch me and simply attempt to be nearly as good as I could be each single evening and probably not put a ceiling on my potential, or put a ceiling on what I can do so far as this sport.

“And I’ve had some fairly good moments, and I’m very grateful for that.”

This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Instances.