TORONTO — If Russell Westbrook was going to raise hell, here was his moment.

Not long after a forgettable 126-113 loss to the Toronto Raptors, the Lakers’ second defeat in as many nights, Westbrook strode to the postgame podium dressed all in black. A reporter asked if a night like this one – with LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Patrick Beverley all unavailable – would be a case for him to actually start a game, which he now hasn’t done since Oct. 23.

Westbrook held at bay.

“I just – whenever my name is called,” he said, “I’m ready to go.”

There was no smirk. No obvious sarcasm. Westbrook seemed to be offering a straight answer.

It’s not hard to read when Westbrook, 34, is holding tempestuous feelings. He’ll stew, be short, or laugh at seemingly inappropriate times. He’s made remarks that have drawn skepticism about his role, such as when he suggested that the Lakers bringing him off the bench could have led to a hamstring injury.

But when talking about certain moments in Wednesday’s game – moments Coach Darvin Ham credited to his leadership in the huddle – the former league MVP seemed as straightforward as can be. For being famously short with the media, it was almost a stump speech.

“I don’t think our first half was completely bad,” he parsed. “The second quarter was the worse quarter, just defensively. As far as the leadership side, doing what I do best. I believe leadership is a trait that I have and I take pride in being able to do that, no matter what’s going on, who is in, who’s out. It’s important each individual on our team understands how important each night is, not taking this game or being able to play for granted.”

His even-keeled attitude after a disappointing loss – one in which Ham subbed him in just two minutes after the game started with an 11-0 deficit – seems to be at least a subtle sign that Westbrook isn’t fighting his reserve role any longer.

A common thread throughout the last 20 games has been Ham’s praise for Westbrook’s sacrifice, comments that seem to be as much doling credit as reinforcement to keep the former MVP in the right mindset. But it has influenced Westbrook’s performance after a miserable start, and that has helped the Lakers win. In the last 12 games, during which the Lakers are 8-4, his shooting efficiency has dropped, but his playmaking has improved: He’s averaged 7.9 assists in just under 27 minutes. Most tellingly, the Lakers are dead even with opponents in scoring margin during Westbrook’s last 318 minutes – a wild improvement from a minus-51 mark in his first 11 games.

There are facets of Westbrook’s game that will always defy control – that’s part of what made him such a compelling player for so many years. But with the promise of running the second unit with the ball in his hands, Ham and the coaching staff have found a way to harness parts of Westbrook’s game with positive impact. And most importantly of all, Westbrook seems to be letting things lie as is.

“It says everything,” Ham said. “It says he’s selfless, willing to sacrifice. He’s willing to add a new element and a new chamber to our team in terms of how balanced we are and how balanced of an attack we can have.”

Westbrook often spends the first few minutes of each night furiously pumping away on a stationary bike in the team tunnel. Whatever is going on in his mind as he prepares, he’s been closely guarded as he talks about it: “Just going out and competing,” he said recently about his mindset before checking in.

But perhaps most critically, his teammates feel his impact. Kendrick Nunn, who has been on the bench more time than he would like as well, said Westbrook’s energy has been infectious.

“Say the first group is slow to start the game, or whatever the case may be, I feel like Russ brings energy to the game,” he said. “He brings the pace, bringing the energy, get guys going, things like that. He’s been great so far.

TOSCANO-ANDERSON SPRAINS ANKLE

While the Lakers got good news Thursday about LeBron James and Anthony Davis – both are probable for Friday’s game against Philadelphia – Juan Toscano-Anderson will miss time.

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The 29-year-old forward sprained his right ankle in the final quarter against Toronto, and a medical evaluation determined he’ll be out for at least two weeks. That means the Lakers will be without two forwards who provide depth: Wenyen Gabriel is also missing action with a left shoulder sprain.

Westbrook and Toscano-Anderson have been close since the start of the season, and Westbrook said he felt for a player who hasn’t seen the court much, then got injured in one of his best opportunities since the regular season began.

“He’s a tough guy, but it can be frustrating,” Westbrook said. “I definitely talked to him. He’s in good spirits. Hopefully, it’s nothin’ too serious and he can battle back. But he’s been a great teammate from day one, and a better person, which is more important. He’ll get back to himself.”