The Los Angeles Lakers are four games above .500 with a 30-wins and 26-losses record. Although they continue to be a winning ball club, they only sit in the ninth position in the Western Conference. This is because of the strength here compared to the teams out East. With that being said, they are looking to avoid the play-in tournament. Even though that remains a long shot, they’d at least want a higher seeding in single-elimination games.
Regardless of where they fall, key players need to stay healthy come the playoffs. And even though the latest news is not welcomed, it likely is a precautionary move.
Assuming everyone is fully healthy, do you see this roster making in far in the post-season?
Los Angeles Lakers Critical Injury Update
The team report saw the most well-known name in basketball on the list. LeBron James is ruled out for tomorrow’s game against the Golden State Warriors. Even though their last engagement ended in a double-overtime thriller, a victory this time will come harder for the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron James throws it DOWN to start his 20th All-Star Game ?pic.twitter.com/12p6i3LVZM
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 19, 2024
The injury lists as a left ankle peroneal tendinopathy condition. Although he is an ironman, the suit appears to be wearing down to father time. A battle James has been winning for so long. Luckily, Anthony Davis is probably to play. Though the power forward lists on the report too. He is dealing with a hip and Achilees issue, but as the report suggests, he’s likely to play.
Los Angeles Lakers Need Davis To Step Up
We saw the toll of playing impact James during the All-Star Game. Even though it remained uncompetetive, you could see as James tried to make an effort in the early stages. But the missed time or focus else where may have played a part. However, it’s more likely that the impact minutes on the court are starting to build up too much for him.
LeBron James dunking in the all-star game — something that will NEVER get old pic.twitter.com/UlOKiDqv6m
— Witness King James (@WITNESSKJ) February 19, 2024
Although you can never count out a resurgance, James can’t be expected do carry the Los Angeles Lakers anymore. Therefore, Davis needs to actually take the bataan from the King. Yes, for years fans ahve been hoping to see this. In fact James begs him to shoulder more responsibility. We see it in spurts, but it’s not enough from a significantly younger player.
Hopefully for the Lakers, the product out of Kentucky can step up. But that remains a large question that we unfortuanetely already know the answer to.
Los Angeles Lakers Push To Avoid The Play-In
This team sits 3.5 games out of the sixth seed in the West. However, when you consider how tight the competition is here, that almost seems insurrmountable. Above them are the Sacramento Kings and the Dallas Mavericks. Following closely behind are the Golden State Warriors and Steph Curry.
In other words, it’s a race to the sixth spot that the Lakers are losing and cannot afford to give up too many for games. Tomorrow against the Warriors is a missed opportunity unless Davis goes for 30+. While James understandbly deals with an injury, fans of the Los Angeles Lakers remain hopeful that he won’t miss too many more games this season.
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