Lakers finally whole again as stretch run begins

The Lakers are about to find out what they actually have.

According to Benjamin Royer of the Southern California News Group, the Lakers expect to have a fully healthy roster when they open the post-All-Star portion of the schedule Friday against the Clippers. That starts with Luka Doncic, who is set to return after missing four games with a hamstring strain. It also includes Austin Reaves, who is no longer under a minutes restriction following a calf injury.

It matters because this trio has barely existed.

Doncic, Reaves, and LeBron James have been available together for just 10 games all season. The Lakers went 7-3 in those. Small sample, sure. But not meaningless.

Head coach JJ Redick made it clear Thursday that the real work starts now.

“This is going to be a sprint,” Redick said, noting the Lakers will rarely have more than one day off between games through the end of March. “We’ve got an opportunity to play our best basketball after the All-Star break.”

That is the window. Twenty-eight games. Little rest. No more excuses about availability.

For the first time in a while, the Lakers are healthy. Now they have to see if continuity shows up fast enough to matter.