Lakers are first team in NBA to have played seven games

The Lakers are the first team in the NBA to have already played seven of their 82 games, in part because they were one of six to open play on Oct. 29.

Starting on opening night against the Clippers, the Lakers have managed a 3-4 record despite playing seven games in 10 days without their best player.

Kobe Bryant is still pushing hard to return from an Achilles’ tendon injury. His timeline for a return remains a mystery, although he’s ramped up his workouts over the last two weeks.

Without Bryant and Steve Nash, the Lakers are 0-2, although both games were played on the road, where the Lakers are 1-3.

Coach Mike D’Antoni has sat his 39-year old veteran point guard for two games, both on the second nights of back-to-back games. The goal is to keep Nash healthy for the season through pacing.

The Indiana Pacers are the only undefeated team left in the NBA with a 6-0 record. They play their seventh game in 11 days when they play the Atlanta Hawks tonight. The Utah Jazz are the only team yet to win at 0-6.

The other teams that will have played seven games in 10 days to open the season are Boston, Cleveland, Golden State, Houston, Philadelphia and Toronto.

The Milwaukee Bucks (2-2) are the only team in the league to have played only four game.

Currently the Lakers are in 11th place in the Western Conference.

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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.