The Los Angeles Lakers are running out of time and need to string together some wins down the stretch if the team wants to make the NBA Playoffs. With how the team has looked recently it would be surprising if they didn’t at least make the Play-In Tournament but you never know when the wheels can fall off.
Every single game is important, which is why dropping the game against Houston on Wednesday was such a disgrace. Friday night’s game is even more important for the purple and gold.
Los Angeles takes on the Dallas Mavericks, who are vying for a spot in the top half of the play-in (as well as the sixth seed to avoid the play-in altogether). Dallas is one game ahead of the Lakers and is tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the seventh seed. Gaining an entire game against Dallas would be massive.
But are the Lakers going to be at full strength after Wednesday’s loss?
Anthony Davis injury update vs Mavericks:
After sitting out Wednesday’s loss, Anthony Davis is expected to suit up for the Lakers on Friday night. Davis is not playing the second leg of any back-to-backs for the Lakers down the stretch as the team does not want to risk his foot injury being reaggravated.
Barring some horrible last-minute update right before tip-off, fans can expect to see Anthony Davis on the court against Dallas.
Full Lakers injury report vs Mavericks:
There is nothing new on the Lakers injury report against the Mavericks. Both LeBron James and Mo Bamba remain out with their respective injuries but that has been the status quo for quite some time now.
No new injuries to report about the Lakers. The Dallas Mavericks, meanwhile, could be pretty short-handed.
Full Mavericks injury report vs Lakers:
Superstar Luka Doncic is OUT with a thigh injury that he has been dealing with for a few weeks. Doncic participated in a full practice on Thursday but is still not ready to return on Friday against the Lakers.
Kyrie Irving is considering QUESTIONABLE for Friday night’s contest. Irving injured his foot and has missed the last three games for Dallas.
Markieff Morris (calf), JaVale McGee (ankle) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (calf) are all considered QUESTIONABLE for Friday night’s contest as well.