4 Lakers Playing For Their Jobs in Game 4 Against the Nuggets

It’s safe to say that the opening round of the 2023-24 NBA playoffs hasn’t gone as the Los Angeles Lakers planned. Darvin Ham’s team is facing elimination as they find themselves down 3-0 against the Denver Nuggets with Game 4 looming on Saturday evening.

While the Lakers aren’t eliminated just yet, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize they’re facing an uphill battle. Regardless of what you think of them, the Nuggets are the defending NBA Champions for a reason and this lopsided series has further cemented that fact.

If Los Angeles is to battle back, several individuals must be better. Several Lakers have been underperforming in this series and another lackluster showing could cost them their spot in the franchise.

With that in mind, here are four Lakers who are fighting for their jobs in Game 4.

For the second straight postseason, D’Angelo Russell finds himself Public Enemy No. 1 among Lakers fans.

Russell’s invisibility act was a key reason why the Lakers fell apart in Game 3. The veteran point guard was nowhere to be found as he went 0-for-7 from the field, finishing with zero points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal, and a block in 24 minutes of work. To understand how much he’s regressed, here’s a comparison between his regular season and playoff stats.

If Russell can’t change his play around, it’s tough to imagine him returning next season. Yes, he does hold an $18.6 million player option this offseason, but that doesn’t guarantee anything. Even if he takes the option, the Lakers could potentially use his salary in a trade to get some legitimate help for LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The regular season proved what Russell is capable of, so it’s time for him to get his act together and return to that form if he wants to stick around in Los Angeles.