If the Lakers lose Tuesday night to Luka Doncic and the Mavericks, L.A. will slide to 11th place in the Western Conference, out of even the play-in (Los Angeles and San Antonio would technically be tied, but the Spurs have the tiebreaker).
The Lakers will have to win that game without LeBron James or Anthony Davis, who are both out, coach Frank Vogel confirmed pregame.
LeBron and AD, both listed as doubtful earlier, are out at Dallas tonight.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 29, 2022
The Lakers next games are Thursday in Utah then back-to-back Friday night at home against the current No. 9 seed Pelicans, a key game for potential play-in positioning.
Will LeBron or Davis play in those games? According to Chris Haynes of TNT, both are out against the Jazz on Thursday but Davis could return Friday against the Pelicans.
My @NBAonTNT Report: Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis targeting a return Friday, star LeBron James anticipated to miss Thursday in SLC and Kendrick Nunn expected to be shelved for remainder of season. pic.twitter.com/UuZSXPlWT9
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 30, 2022
Not surprisingly, the Lakers have struggled on both ends of the court when both LeBron and Davis are out, they have a -6.7 net rating in those minutes (which would be 25th in the league over the course of a season).
LeBron sprained his ankle Sunday in a loss to the Pelicans, and despite that scored 39 points. It seemed like LeBron might miss time when he said postgame his ankle felt “horrible.”
Davis has been out since mid-February with a foot sprain but did go through a couple of practices recently and appears to be nearing a return. If he’s going to make one this season.
