Darvin Ham and the Los Angeles Lakers are going all-in on their new-look roster in a chance to get LeBron James the pieces he needs to contend for his fifth championship. Names like Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder, the latter of whom will back up Patrick Beverley, are integral to this concept.
While the preseason has been a mixed bag for this roster, they can take solace in the fact that they didn’t enter the regular season with any serious injuries. Having said that, some of the team’s secondary stars around James may miss some time thanks to a few untimely ailments.
Davis is sitting out LA’s preseason game against the Sacramento Kings due to some soreness in his lower back. While this is likely a minor knock, and his absence is more precautionary than anything, the Lakers can’t afford to take any chances given Davis’ injury history.
Schroder has reportedly suffered a finger injury that could knock him out of the regular season opener. He will not play in tonight’s game against the Kings, and he will undergo a better of tests to determine what his recovery timetable is going to look like.
Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis will not play tonight in the preseason finale against the Sacramento Kings due to lower back soreness, league sources tell @YahooSports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 14, 2022
Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder have injuries.
The Lakers have placed a ton of their future prospects for success in Davis’ lap. When he’s been healthy and engaged on the floor at power forward or center, he’s looked like the Hall of Famer he will likely end up as. Unfortunately, his body continues to work against him thanks to a list of recurring bumps and bruises.
Schroder averaged 13.5 points and 4.6 assists per game last season. For all his faults as a player, he can still fill it up at a solid clip. On a team that lacks proven scorers, Schroder’s double-digit per-game averages will help him get some time in the rotation.
LA was terrible last season. That much is not in dispute. However, the team didn’t have all of their top guns healthy at the same time, which made it hard to get into a groove and find an offensive system that works. Perhaps this year will be different, should the injuries turn out to be nothing big.
Lakers’ Dennis Schroder has suffered a finger injury and his status is up in the air ahead of regular season next week, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Schroder will not play in tonight’s game vs. Kings and is undergoing testing on severity and return timetable.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 14, 2022
The Russell Westbrook question is still hanging over this fanbase’s head, so the Lakers need to show everyone that they are serious about contending by getting solid production around No. 0. They can’t realize that dream when Davis and Schroder are not at 100%.
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