The Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference clash at the Crypto.com Arena in LA. These teams have met twice the season with the road team winning both contests.
Update Injury for Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers (36-37, 35-37-1 ATS) knocked off the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, 122-111. It was the second straight win for the Lakers, who are 6-3 in their last nine.
With a 20-17 record at home this year, Los Angeles is currently in 10th place in the Western Conference, half a game ahead of both Utah and New Orleans.
- Anthony Davis – Questionable
Against Suns, Anthony Davis played all 38 minutes and finished with 27 points (10-18 FG, 7-10 FT), 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal.
According to Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com, Davis has been listed as probable for Friday’s game against the Thunder.
Because Davis is always listed as probable prior to games and almost always plays, there is no cause for alarm.
Without LeBron James (foot), the Lakers’ offense will likely continue to revolve around the big man for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, D’Angelo Russell scored 26 points (9-13 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 5-7 FT) and added 6 assists, 2 blocks, 1 rebound, and 1 steal in 34 minutes of action.
On Wednesday, Russell scored 26 points on just 13 shots, finishing second on the team in scoring to Anthony Davis by a single point.
Although the point guard hasn’t been known for his shooting prowess in the past, he has shown marked improvement this year, making 46.6% of his shots. As for three-point shooting, his 39.1 percent clip is also the best of his career.
- Update for LeBron James’ foot injury
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, LeBron James (foot) has resumed on-court activity and a “gradual movement program,” but the Lakers announced Thursday that he still has no official timetable for a return to game action.
James’ right foot injury has kept him out of action since February 26. Still, the star forward hopes to get back on the court before the season proper is over.
The Lakers are currently 10th in the Western Conference, and they are relying heavily on Anthony Davis’s offensive prowess until LeBron James returns.
Despite the fact that Oklahoma City is 3-1 in their last four games on the road, this is a team that has struggled away from Oklahoma this year (14-21). They got lucky when Paul George got hurt in Tuesday’s win over the Clippers.
After losing to the Clippers on Thursday (105-127), the Thunder will take on the Lakers on Friday. Despite not having far to go, it’s likely that this squad is exhausted.
Injury Reports Lakers:
- Anthony Davis (Foot) – Questionable
- LeBron James (Foot) – Out
- Mo Bamba (Ankle) – Out
Injury Reports Thunder:
- Kenrich Williams (Wrist) – Out for the season
- Chet Holmgren (Foot) – Out for the season
