Lakers considering a lineup change at point guard

The Lakers appear to be mulling over a lineup change.

Since joining the team in December after the franchise suffered a slew of injuries at point guard, Kendall Marshall has made 33 appearances and 24 starts.

On Tuesday night, in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, Marshall started the first half but not the second.

Instead, Coach Mike D’Antoni told Jordan Farmar to take Marshall’s place at halftime.

“Jordan told me that coach told him that he was going to start the second half, and that’s fine,” Marshall said after the Lakers’ 132-125 loss to the Pelicans.

Did Marshall check in with D’Antoni to understand why the change was made?

“That’s not my place to ask,” Marshall said.

Farmar finished with 20 points and eight assists in 26 minutes. Marshall played 22, and while he didn’t score, he dished 10 assists.

Marshall has 18 double-digit assist games this season but he’s failed to score in four of the last five games.

Meanwhile, Farmar has improved since returning from his second torn-hamstring injury of the year. Over his past four games, Farmar has averaged 18.8 points with six assists.

D’Antoni wouldn’t commit to starting Farmar on Thursday against the Clippers, but noted he and his staff will consider it.

“He could start. We’ll talk about it,” D’Antoni said. “Just like he’s playing about 25 to 30 minutes, whether he starts or not ... whoever plays well is going to finish the game.”

The Lakers brought three point guards into the season, expecting Steve Nash to start with Steve Blake and Farmar backing him up.

Blake began the season playing shooting guard next to Nash but eventually both got hurt -- then Farmar. Blake was eventually traded to the Golden State Warriors for Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks.

ALSO:

Lakers defeat Trail Blazers in thrilling fashion, 107-106

Lakers’ rally falls short against New Orleans Pelicans, 132-125

Phil Jackson says the late Jerry Buss made decision to hire D’Antoni

eric.pincus@gmail.com

Twitter: @EricPincus