The Los Angeles Lakers are 12-11 through the first 23 games of the 2021-22 NBA season.
This isn’t where a team with championship aspirations wants to be, but the Lakers have endured several setbacks that have delayed how good the team could look by now.
LeBron James entering the NBA’s health and safety protocols is the latest hitch the Lakers have had to deal with, and his absence will linger into key December matchups.
And that’s what we’re here for.
The Lakers need to close the year on a high note before the schedule gradually increases in toughness, and collecting wins needs to be the focus.
Of course, every game is crucial and has some sort of implication, especially because the Lakers want to be a title-contending team.
Let’s analyze the December schedule for L.A. to track the key games to watch for:
