Kobe Sanders was back in the starting lineup Monday for the Lakers' game against the Raptors, giving the 24-year-old his second start of the new campaign.
The lineup change comes with Rui Hachimura out because of a quadriceps injury, opening the door for Sanders to take on a bigger role again. Justin Russo noted that Sanders was in the starting lineup for Monday's game, confirming the move ahead of tipoff.
Second start in a short span
Sanders had already made his first start of the year on Wednesday against the Lakers, and he made the most of the opportunity. In that game, he finished with nine points, four rebounds and three steals in 27 minutes.
That performance gave the Lakers a reason to keep him in a more prominent spot when the rotation shifted again Monday. Even if the role is tied to Hachimura's absence, Sanders has shown he can contribute in multiple areas when called upon.
For now, the main question is whether Sanders can build on that Wednesday outing and turn this latest start into a longer look. At minimum, Monday's game gives him another chance to show he can help the Lakers handle the minutes left open by Hachimura's injury.
