The Los Angeles Lakers announced that LeBron James (left foot injury management), Marcus Smart (right ankle contusion) and Luke Kennard (left finger injury management) are available for Friday night’s contest against the Phoenix Suns, while Jaxson Hayes (left foot injury management) is out. Kennard was originally listed as questionable but is able to give it a go after warming up.
This is an important contest for the Lakers as the team is trying to hold onto home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs. With a win over the Suns, combined with a Houston Rockets loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Lakers would clinch at least the fourth seed. And they are still in the hunt for the third seed as well if they were to win out and the Denver Nuggets drop one of their final two games.
James has stepped back into his familiar role as the team’s primary creator with Luka Doncic (Grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique injury) both out. He was dominant in the team’s victory over the Golden State Warriors and will need to continue to play at that level if the Lakers have any hope of a postseason run.
Smart has missed nine straight games for the Lakers and the team has sorely missed his energy and defensive presence. Much has been made of his importance to the Lakers as his energy and effort is contagious, but his playmaking ability and veteran presence on offense is also greatly missed with the team down it’s two primary creators.
Having Smart back in crucial, especially with Kennard now dealing with an injury of his own as he has been serving as the team’s primary ball-handler.
With the start of the postseason just around the corner, it makes sense to be cautious as the Lakers can’t afford any more injuries right now. As important as seeding is, having everyone healthy easily trumps that for L.A.
With that being the case, giving someone like Hayes the most rest possible is in the best interest of the team, especially with the Suns also resting key players like Devin Booker with their seeding already clinched.
Until key players return though, the Lakers need the entire team to step up and be on one accord in these final games of the season and everyone looks to be on the same page pushing towards the same goal despite all the setbacks.
Lakers waive Kobe Bufkin to open up playoff roster spot
The Lakers will be adding one more player to the roster prior to the postseason beginning as the team waived Kobe Bufkin. The franchise could sign an outside player, or convert one of their two-way players into a standard contract.
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