The Lakers were shorthanded entering Tuesday's game against the Phoenix Suns, arguably the best team in the NBA. L.A. has had zero continuity all season long, the Suns as much as any team in the league. The Lakers have a roster that is, to be sure, kinda weird. Phoenix has one of the most well-constructed groups you'll find.

No surprise then that after a slow first half where they couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, the Suns used the final two quarters to pull away from the home team, beating the Lakers at Staples, 108-90. LeBron James played very well, Russell Westbrook did too (until some late turnovers, at least), illustrating how little margin for error the Lakers have right now. How they navigate games, particularly against good teams, is going to be tricky.

On a positive note, the Lakers got a good performance from Trevor Ariza in his second game of the year, hitting all three of his triples and playing his typically steady, well-positioned defense. Talen Horton-Tucker, however, in his first game back from Covid protocols, was a disaster, as was Isaiah Thomas. Who can be a reliable "third guy" for the time being?

Finally, Adam Silver has said the NBA won't be going on a Covid-related hiatus. Should it? Is it safe to keep playing? Or has the world changed enough with vaccines and treatments that the response has to change as well?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers lose on Tuesday, frankly as expected. What does it say about what's coming?

SEGMENT 2: Ariza looked good, THT looked terrible, and the Lakers had better perform over their next few games, or they could have real problems in the Western Conference standings.

SEGMENT 3: Should the NBA hit the brakes on the 2021-22 season, with Omicron ripping through the league and multiple teams dealing with outbreaks?

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