What this means for Schröder
Jovan Buha, Lakers beat writer: This means that Schröder will essentially miss the rest of the regular season, returning for either one of the last two games or at the start of the postseason. The Lakers’ starting point guard had shifted roles with James and Davis out of the lineup, becoming a higher-usage scorer and playmaker. He will now lose out on a critical opportunity to readjust his offensive role ahead of what promises to be a challenging playoff path for Los Angeles.
What this means for the Lakers in the short term
Buha: A challenging situation is becoming even direr. The Lakers will likely drop another game or two without their third-leading scorer and second-best playmaker in Schröder. That’s also before factoring in the gravity of James’ potential absence. Remember: James’ status after exiting Sunday’s game remains unknown. With the way the Lakers have handled injuries this season, the safe bet would be James missing Monday’s game against Denver ― and possibly more time.
What this means for the Lakers longer term
Buha: Aside from the health of their stars ― a prerequisite for winning the championship in every season ― the Lakers’ greatest remaining challenge is developing the on-court chemistry and continuity they’ve missed out on due to injuries and COVID-19 protocols. Schröder is their third-best and most important player. For the Lakers to win the championship, he has to be on the same page with James and Davis. This setback delays the progress, which could ultimately cost the Lakers in a playoff series against a better-connected opponent.
(Photo: Ned Dishman / NBAE via Getty Images)
