As Lakers try to fix defense, Austin Reaves goes down with injury

The film tells the truth. The Lakers are not a good defensive team, as evidenced by the sight of the NBA’s best guards outrunning Lakers defenders in the paint during a 10-game defensive swoon that ranks among the worst in the league.

Yet when coach JJ Redick shows his team the tape and then backs them up with the numbers, there’s still cautious optimism that the Lakers can improve.

“I don’t think there’s anyone in this meeting room that thinks we’re a good defensive team right now,” Redick said, “but I also don’t think there’s anyone in this meeting room that thinks we can’t be a good defensive team. We have to get better.”

In the 10 games since LeBron James returned to the lineup, the Lakers have scored 121.8 points per 100 possessions, a significant increase from their offensive rating of 115.4 through the first 14 games of the season. While their offensive rating ranks fifth in the league over the last 10 games, their defensive rating of 120.9 ranks 27th. This is a dramatic increase from their previous defensive rating of 113.7 points.

The most glaring issues are the team’s defense in transition and early in the opponent’s offense, Redick said. The Lakers give up 1.19 points per possession in transition, fifth worst in the league.

Sunday’s game in Phoenix against the Suns, who scored 28 points on a break against the Lakers on Dec. 1, will be an important test as the Lakers (17-7) try to avoid their first losing streak this season.

Led by Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves — out for at least a week with a left calf strain, the team announced Friday — and James, 40, the Lakers are not intended to be a fast team on either side of the court. They were outplayed by San Antonio’s dynamic backcourt led by speedy De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, who combined for 50 points Wednesday as the Spurs scored 27 points on fast break and knocked the Lakers out of the NBA Cup.

Such losses exposed the Lakers’ lack of speed on the perimeter, but the team also showed flashes of excellence against top guards. The Lakers held 76ers star Tyrese Maxey to five points on 2-of-6 shooting in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ four-point victory in Philadelphia on Dec. 7.

“It’s less about schemes. A little more urgency,” guard Gabe Vincent said. “Just do all the little things a little bit more. If you don’t do them, like I said, there are great players in this league that will expose you.”

One of the team’s best defensive options is on the bench. Forward Jarred Vanderbilt has played just three minutes in the last 10 games. He entered the game against Philadelphia only after Jake LaRavia took a shot to the face that knocked out his tooth.

Vanderbilt, an athletic forward, has been a consistent force on defense during his career but has struggled to contribute on offense. Although he impressed coaches with how hard he worked in the offseason to improve his shooting and ball handling, Vanderbilt made only four of 14 three-pointers in the first 14 games. He averaged 5.6 rebounds per game before James returned to the lineup on November 18, pushing Vanderbilt to the bench.

Before the Lakers’ last game against the Suns, Redick said it was partly a numbers game with James’ return and estimated the team would settle on a nine-man rotation. Vanderbilt had tasks he “had to be able to do consistently to play” even before James returned, Redick said.

Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox, scoring against Lakers guard Luka Doncic, and his teammates continually outran their defenders during an NBA Cup game Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

But making changes at that time was difficult, the coach admitted. The Lakers were in the middle of a seven-game winning streak. But they’re 2-3 in the last five games, which has exposed their defensive struggles, and the coaches are “watching everything.”

“If this continues,” Redick said Friday, “he’ll definitely get his opportunities.”

After Friday’s practice, Vanderbilt stayed on the court to shoot additional three-pointers with staff members.

Meanwhile, Reaves will be re-evaluated in about a week, the Lakers said after practice.

The guard averaging 27.8 points, 6.7 assists and 5.6 rebounds led the Lakers in total minutes played as the team overcame periods without James and Doncic. Reaves responded with a career-best start. He is ninth in the NBA in scoring and could be on track to win his first All-Star title as he makes a critical contract decision this offseason.

Reaves will miss at least Sunday’s game at Phoenix, Thursday’s game at Utah and December 20 against the Clippers. After another game in Phoenix on December 23, the Lakers begin a five-game home streak, starting with a marquee game on Christmas Day against the Houston Rockets.

Etc.

The Lakers assigned guard Bronny James to the G League on Friday.