The Los Angeles Lakers hope to carry that momentum into the postseason after starting their six-game road trip with a bang. The Lakers will play the Indiana Pacers, who they have already beaten twice this season, as their next road visit. However, it’s unclear if they’ll have Anthony Davis (left knee hyperextension) and LeBron James (left ankle peroneal tendinopathy).
Due to his persistent ankle problem, James was labeled by the Lakers as questionable for the game on Friday night. LeBron missed the Lakers’ game on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, but he was back on the court on Wednesday and is eager to contribute to the team’s continued success.
Davis injured his knee during the Lakers’ double-overtime victory over the Bucks, and although he managed to play despite the discomfort that evening, he was not allowed to play on Wednesday in Memphis. The Lakers defense relies heavily on Davis, and they cannot afford to lose him for an extended amount of time.
Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent are still sidelined for the game, but there is some positive news for the Lakers regarding Vincent.It is anticipated that the guard will be available for Sunday’s game, his first since December against the Brooklyn Nets. Conversely, Vanderbilt has started jogging even though they haven’t been cleared for any contact exercises yet.
This six-game road trip has seen the Lakers win five straight games, including the first two. Getting healthy continues to be the team’s first priority, but they are now starting to gel and come together at the perfect time. The Lakers are currently not fully healthy, but they are getting closer, which poses a threat to the other teams in the league.
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No matter who is starting for the Lakers, Taurean Prince thinks they are a formidable team.
The Lakers have also demonstrated recently that they are capable of winning games even without one or both of their top players. The Lakers won their fifth straight game on Wednesday, although LeBron missed the victory on Tuesday and Davis did not play.
Taurean, the veteran wing Prince complimented the Lakers’ entire roster and cited the team’s aggressiveness and decisiveness as the reasons for their recent success. Being able to play and succeed without LeBron or Davis on the court merely gives those supporting players greater confidence when the two superstars return to the court, according to Prince, who stated that he thinks the team is still dangerous no matter who sits out.
