The Los Angeles Lakers injury report is full heading into their game against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Lakers have picked up two hard-fought victories to start off their east coast road trip over the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat. Their next stop will be against the Atlanta Hawks, but there is a chance that the team could be a little short-handed.
While the Lakers are 23-3, they have had to face some adversity in terms of injuries. They have had rotation players missing periodically throughout the season, as they have played very few games at full strength. Against the Hawks, they will once again be shorthanded.
Kyle Kuzma will once again be sidelined as he works his way back from an ankle injury suffered against the Washington Wizards on Nov. 29.
He played in the following five games, receiving his normal allotment of minutes. However, the ankle was not healing as the Lakers’ training staff had hoped, so they have rested him since. He has yet to play in a game during this road trip but is hopeful he can return at some point during this trip. Being ruled out more than 24 hours before a game is usually not a good sign, though.
Anthony Davis, who is listed with a sore right shoulder, probable, along with Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo. Bradley just returned from his hairline fracture and Rondo is dealing with a left hamstring strain.
The news was reported by Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet.
The Lakers also listed Kyle Kuzma as out (ankle), while a probable tag went to Anthony Davis (sore right shoulder), Avery Bradley (hairline fracture, right leg) and Rajon Rondo (left hamstring strain).
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 15, 2019
In addition to four players, LeBron James also found his way onto the injury report. James is listed as questionable with a sore right elbow after landing on it during his collision with Jimmy Butler on the last play of the game against the Heat on Friday.
The Lakers listed LeBron James as questionable for Sunday’s game in Atlanta with a sore right elbow. He landed on it after his collision with Jimmy Butler on the last play in Miami.
— Bill Oram (@billoram) December 15, 2019
Outside of Kuzma, who has been ruled out already, it would be surprising to see any of the other four players sitting out. However, if the Lakers were going to look to get some players a rest during this road trip, this is the game to do it.
Atlanta comes into the game on a tailspin, as they have lost 14 of their last 16 games. As long as they can slow down Trae Young, the Lakers will have an excellent chance of picking up their 14th straight road win and seventh straight win overall.
James has yet to miss a game this season, while Davis has missed only one. With big games against the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks following the matchup against the Hawks, the Lakers could decide to rest some players to ensure they are at full health for those games.
With Kuzma sidelined, expect Jared Dudley to see some minutes off the bench. If Bradley and Rondo both play, Troy Daniels will most likely receive another DNP, as those two and Alex Caruso will soak up all the backup backcourt minutes.