In the Lakers vs. OKC Thunder, without five key players, LA dominates the 1st quarter

The Los Angeles Lakers are playing without five of their key players out of the fourteen they have on the roster, leaving them with 9 players including their two rookies.

Three two-way contract rookies will be with the team in case coach Darvin Ham needs them, as the group is very shorthanded without Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent and Rui Hachimura not being available.

Still, the LA Lakers have been dominating the first quarter of their game against Oklahoma City as Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell are playing exactly where they left off against the Pistons.

The Thunder cut some of the distance, still, LA has a seven-point lead to enter the 2nd quarter with a 37-30 score. Anthony Davis has scored 15 points, only in the first quarter, with 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. D'Angelo Russell has scored 9 points, with 4 assists.

The Lakers have everything against them tonight

A victory tonight would be very valuable as the team has everything against them, they are on the road, they have five key absences, and are playing a second game of a back-to-back.