The shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers played just nine players—and relied heavily on six of them—in a 111-108 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night at the Barclays Center. Headlining the list of Lakers’ absences was LeBron James, sidelined due to a groin injury, but several other rotation regulars including Dorian Finney-Smith, Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber were also unavailable.
But Lakers coach JJ Redick, visibly upset while speaking to reporters after the game, wasn't willing to use injuries as an excuse.
