LeBron says Lakers facing test without several 'big pieces' - ESPN

ATLANTA — The Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up a brutal four-game trip Friday after being edged by the surging Atlanta Hawks 134-132 in overtime.

Though LeBron James and Anthony Davis were both involved in several late-game miscues that helped the Hawks to the victory, James pointed to a big-picture concern that has led to L.A. losing seven of its past nine games, rather than to specific mistakes that occurred down the stretch in Atlanta.

After L.A.'s bench was outscored 65-17 against the Hawks, James said the Lakers' lack of depth is being tested. He rattled off the names of Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood and Jaxson Hayes — all of whom were inactive Friday night — as players in the «top 11» of the Lakers' would-be rotation if they were healthy.

«Mismatching with lineups, we're trying to figure out ways, obviously,» James said. «So it's very challenging. We don't have much room for error.… It's big, big, big, big pieces.»

The biggest absence has been Reaves, who did not play during the 1-3 trip because of a left pelvic bruise and returned to Los Angeles before Friday's game to receive treatment.

«He's like a connector for our offense, but he's also a scorer and a playmaker,» Lakers coach JJ Redick, speaking before Friday's game, said of Reaves, who has averaged 16.7 points and 4.8 assists this season. «He does both. And also, he's highly competitive and he brings that juice every night.»

Reaves is considered day-to-day heading into Sunday's home game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Hayes has sat out 12 of L.A.'s past 13 games because of a right ankle injury and is expected to sit out at least another week. Wood (left knee surgery) and Vanderbilt (right foot surgery and left knee fluid) haven't played