The Los Angeles Lakers lost the biggest game of the regular season on Wednesday to the Los Angeles Clippers. A win would have almost guaranteed that the Lake Show would avoid the play-in and be in the top six in the Western Conference. Now, the odds of them climbing out of the play-in seem slim to none.
It still is possible so the Lakers have plenty to play for. Plus, the team does not want to fall into the play-in and become a ninth or tenth seed. There is a huge disadvantage in being a lower seed versus being a seventh or eighth seed and the Lake Show needs to do everything it can to avoid that.
It is not going to be easy as Los Angeles is taking on the Phoenix Suns, who are many people’s pick to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. Neither of these teams have been fully healthy all season, so here is everything you need to know about this matchup.
LeBron James injury update vs Suns:
It was unclear if LeBron James and/or Anthony Davis were going to play on Wednesday as it was the second leg of a back-to-back. Both players ended up playing and LeBron seems geared to play once more on Friday against the Suns.
LeBron is listed on the Lakers injury report as questionable but he has also been on the injury report every single game since returning from his foot injury. Barring a last-second setback, LeBron should be good to go.
Full Lakers injury report vs Suns:
Anthony Davis is in a similar situation as LeBron. He too is on the Lakers injury report and is listed as questionable but like LeBron, that has merely been a formality since he returned from injury. With the last two games meaning so much, Davis is likely going to suit up.
D’Angelo Russell is also listed as probable with left foot soreness. Russell returned to action against the Clippers after missing the Jazz game and it appears that he will play against the Suns.
That being said, Russell did say that his foot injury is something that he is going to have to play through for the rest of the year and the playoffs. So while he is playing, Russell is not 100%.
Full Suns injury report vs Lakers:
The Phoenix Suns are almost fully healthy. Kevin Durant is back in the fold and there is nothing new to report about Devin Booker or Chris Paul.
The only player on the injury report is T.J. Warren, who did not play on Thursday because of an illness. His status for Friday is not yet confirmed as he is considered day-to-day.