The Los Angeles Lakers travel to Utah to face the Jazz on Tuesday with high playoff ambitions.
Update Injury for Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz
The Los Angeles Lakers still have playoff hopes with four games remaining, including this game.
They are aiming higher than merely a berth in the Western Conference’s top six. They are contemplating playing games and organizing a procession well into the month of June.
“We just want to put ourselves in position to be able to compete for a championship,” said Lakers star LeBron James.
- LeBron James – Questionable
According to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, James’s status for today’s game is in doubt due to a foot injury.
James was sidelined for a month with a foot injury, but he has played in the previous four games. It’s likely that he’ll suit up for the Lakers again on Tuesday as they try to clinch a playoff spot.
The Lakers (40-38) are a half-game behind the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors (both 41-38) for the final two guaranteed playoff spots.
They’re currently tied for seventh place in the conference with the New Orleans Pelicans and need to win out to guarantee themselves at least a play-in game.
The Lakers have won three in a row and six of their past seven games overall.
On Sunday, Anthony Davis dropped 40 points on the Houston Rockets, and LeBron James added 18 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds en route to a 134-109 victory for the Lakers.
“Feeling good,” said Davis, who has scored at least 37 points in four of his last five games. “Feel like I’m back to myself before the injury. But we’re all playing well. The guys are making it easy for me.”
- Anthony Davis – Questionable
Davis’ right foot stress injury hasn’t completely healed, but he’s been able to play recently and should be OK to go on Tuesday.
Throughout his last five games, he’s averaged 33.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 35.6 minutes per game. In four of those games, he scored at least 37 points.
Meanwhile, D’Angelo Russell (foot) is questionable for Tuesday’s contest.
While pain in his left foot forced Russell to leave Sunday’s game against Houston, it is unlikely that he will miss any more time due to the injury.
He has averaging 11.7 points, 6.0 assists, and 28.3 minutes in his last three games.
The Jazz (36-42), on the other hand, have a chance to make the play-in round despite losing six of their previous seven games. Nobody predicted that the Jazz would even be in a position to consider the playoffs during a rebuilding season.
Utah has its work cut out to make postseason play. The Jazz are 1 1/2 games behind 10th place Oklahoma City (38-41) and a half-game back of Dallas (37-42).
In a week where playoff positioning is at stake, the Jazz and Lakers meet twice. Sunday, in the season finale, they’ll square off in Los Angeles.
Injury Reports Jazz:
- Lauri Markkanen (Hand) – Questionable
- Collin Sexton (Hamstring) – Questionable
- Walker Kessler (Concussion) – Out
- Jordan Clarkson (Finger) – Out
- Rudy Gay (Back) – Out
Injury Reports Lakers:
- LeBron James (Foot) – Questionable
- Anthony Davis (Foot) – Questionable
- D’Angelo Russell (Foot) – Questionable
- Scotty Pippen Jr. (Ankle) – Questionable
- Mo Bamba (Ankle) – Out
