Ask any Lakers fan about the team’s status this season, they will be frustrated with how the team faltered to win games after a strong start to the campaign. While the team isn’t willing to make any wholesale changes to improve the roster, the front office knows they need to make trades if they want to make a serious run for the 2025 title.
Until such moves happen, JJ Redick and the rest of the Purple and Gold must focus on winning as many games as possible.
Their next two games will be against the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center. While the Kings are ranked below them in the Western Conference standings, they mustn’t underestimate the team Mike Brown has built in the state capital.
While the Lakers could put up a fight with their two stars, the team’s latest injury report puts the team’s odds against the Kings into question.
Lakers list LeBron James, Anthony Davis as injury doubts vs. Sacramento
ESPN’s David McMenamin posted the Purple and Gold’s injury report on social media, which puts a huge question mark on the stars’ availability:
Lakers injury report for Thursday’s game in SAC: pic.twitter.com/micUvuFUCg
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 19, 2024
The Brow is listed as probable to play against the Kings while dealing with a left planar fascilitis, while the King is questionable with the medical team addressing his left ankle injury.
ClutchPoints’ Rexwell VIllas noted that the Purple and Gold will still likely have at least one of them play against the Kings as both players appeared during the team’s 116-110 win against the Memphis Grizzlies. However, he detailed the roster problems JJ Redick would have if either star would be out of commission due to their injuries:
In the event that Davis gets ultimately ruled out for the Kings game, the Lakers would be extra thin in the frontcourt, with Jaxson Hayes already ruled out with an ankle injury. The Lakers are also still missing Christian Wood. Christian Koloko should have a heavier workload than usual if Davis can’t give it a go.
As for the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, an absence from James would leave more on-court responsibilities for the likes of Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht.
Given how top-heavy the Lakers are, it will be tougher for the team to win against the Kings without either of their stars. If James does become unable to suit up against Sacramento, the rest of the roster must step up in his stead and start a winning streak that will propel them up the Western Conference standings.
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