Prior to their game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers gave an update on the status of its two top players, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
James is listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game due to a left calf contusion, but he did not play in the Lakers’ most recent game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. Davis’ status as likely for Tuesday’s game (left adductor/hip spasm) is encouraging.
On Tuesday, the Lakers will be without youngster Jalen Hood-Schifino (right patella contusion), guard Gabe Vincent (left knee effusion), and big Jarred Vanderbilt (left heel bursitis).
James’ status as questionable for Tuesday’s game is encouraging for the Lakers since it will allow him to play again. With James sidelined, the Lakers fielded six players in double figures against the Blazers on Sunday.
The Lakers were led by Davis (30 points), but without James, Los Angeles was led by Cam Reddish (18 points), Rui Hachimura (19 points), Austin Reaves (18 points), D’Angelo Russell (11 points), and Taurean Prince (11 points).
James is averaging 25.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 34.8 percent from 3-point range through the first five games of the season.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham stated on Sunday that he doesn’t want to wear down the four-time champion too soon in the season despite the fact that he has played 35 minutes or more in a number of games.
James has only made one appearance in more than 56 games since joining the Lakers before the 2018–19 campaign (the 2019–20 season). That season, the Lakers went on to win the championship.
This season, Davis has only missed one game for the Lakers (against the Houston Rockets on November 8) and has performed admirably while starting. The top big man is shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc and 52.7 percent from the field, averaging 23.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.0 blocks a game.
James and Davis being able to play on Tuesday will put the Lakers in a strong position to defeat Memphis, who is just 2-8 on the year.
On November 14, the Lakers and Grizzlies are expected to tip off from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles at 7:30 p.m. PST.
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