The Los Angeles Lakers resume the NBA In-Season Tournament on Tuesday night as the team is on the road to take on the Utah Jazz. Los Angeles currently leads its group in the tournament and is poised to move to the knockout stage with a chance to win the NBA Cup.
Most critics pushed back at the In-Season Tournament as something with no stakes that players would not care about. That has not been true for the Lakers, who have been very vocal about how much they want the $500,000 grand prize.
That adds stakes to this Tuesday night November game against the Lakers and it might change how the team operates with injuries as well. The Lakers injury report includes several big names, but may not actually be indicative of whether or not the stars are going to play.
Is LeBron James playing tonight vs Jazz?
LeBron James is listed as questionable with a calf injury for Tuesday night’s affair. LeBron has been dealing with the lingering calf injury, even missing a game last week because of it.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer admitted after beating the Houston Rockets on Sunday that he is a little banged up and that should be worrisome for Lakers fans. There is no reason for LeBron and the Lakers to push it this early in the season.
All that being said, regardless of his injury status, it would be surprising if LeBron does not play in this game. He has played every other time he was listed as questionable with a calf injury and it would take a last-minute setback to knock him out of the game.
Full Lakers injury report vs Jazz:
Anthony Davis is also listed on the injury report with the same hip/groin injury that has been bothering him for a handful of games. After missing one game, Davis has played through the injury, even when listed on the report. AD is listed as probable, so fans should expect him to suit up tonight.
Jarred Vanderbilt (heel) and Gabe Vincent (knee) both remain out of action, although it appears that Vando might be nearing a return soon for the purple and gold.
Rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino is listed as questionable for Tuesday night’s game with a knee injury. JHS was upgraded to questionable for the first time on Sunday but did not play. He is yet to make his NBA debut with the purple and gold.
Full Jazz injury report vs Lakers:
The only player on the Jazz injury report is promising big man Walker Kessler. Kessler has not played in over two weeks due to an elbow injury. He is scheduled to return to basketball activities next Monday.