LOS ANGELES >> The Lakers’ floor general could only lead from the bench both with cheers and instructions. The Lakers’ bruising forward could not exert his powers as he dressed in street clothes.

Unlike what plagued them last week in overwhelming consecutive losses to Golden State, though, the Lakers showed their bench depth could overcome key injuries to guard D’Angelo Russell (left knee) and forward Julius Randle (hip pointer). The Lakers secured a 109-94 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, showing their success and ability to give free tacos to the sell-out crowd at Staples Center will rest more by committee than by star power.

“I like having superstars. I had a couple of them in Golden State and it was fun,” said Lakers coach Luke Walton, a Warriors assistant the previous two years. “But it’s been a lot of fun coaching these guys. They’re all willing to take whatever the role is to help the team win.”

The Lakers (9-9) moved back to the .500 mark and defeated the Hawks (10-7) for the second time this season by excelling in various ways.

After missing Friday’s loss to Golden State because of a sprained toe in his left foot, Nick Young returned to the starting lineup and did what he has normally done. Lakers veteran point guard Jose Calderon (nine points, four assists) showed steadiness once again in his fourth start in the past five games. In what marked his first start after impressing the Lakers with his hustle, Thomas Robinson filled in nicely for Randle by posting nine points on eight rebounds.

But it was the Lakers bench that Walton mainly attributed to the victory.

Lou Williams (21 points), Jordan Clarkson (18), Larry Nance Jr. (12), Brandon Ingram (seven points, eight rebounds) and Tarik Black (seven points, eight rebounds) showed why they represent the NBA’s top bench unit. Walton argued the reserves defense in the second quarter “changed the outcome of the game” as Houston shot 35 percent. And Walton’s decision start Robinson over Ingram helped foster the reserves’ chemistry.

All of which helped the Lakers absorb double-digit efforts from Atlanta’s Kent Bazemore (21), Dwight Howard (19), Dennis Schroder (11), Kyle Korver (10) and Mike Muscala (10).

“We know what each other can do,” Ingram said. “When guys knock shots down, guys are in their rhythm and try to keep going to the same guy. We’re very unselfish for doing that.”

Nance likened the team’s bench to “a puzzle.” Both Walton and Nance gushed about the scoring potential that Williams and Clarkson offer. They brought up the energy that Nance and Black show that helped the Lakers outrebound Atlanta, 53-38. They praised Ingram’s versatility and demeanor.

“There are so many different things they do well,” Walton said. “I think it’s pretty hard to scout them and take one thing away.”

The Lakers may have to rely on them more in four-game trip this week in stops in New Orleans (Tuesday), New Orleans (Wednesday), Toronto (Friday) and Memphis (Saturday), an itinerary Walton said makes “zero sense.”

Russell will be reevaluated later this week and will not return until 1 ½ weeks from now at the earliest. Walton held out hope Randle could return at some point on the Lakers’ upcoming trip. He completed a pre-game workout on Sunday, but he did not finish all of Saturday’s practice after tightening up. He then stayed on the court to complete non-contact drills.

“It’s obviously a lot more pressure on the body and intense in game situations,” Walton said of Randle. “He’s getting better, but is just not there yet.”

For now, the Lakers will rely on everyone else.

“We sacrifice for each other,” Black said. “You can see on the court. The open man gets the shot and plays defense for each other. You can see on the team. We smile together and laugh together. We like each other in the locker room. We have a tight knit group.”