The Lakers are currently in 11th place in the Western Conference and will look to improve their standing when they host the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.
Latest news on Anthony Davis, LeBron James and Devin Booker
Each loss is a double-whammy for the Los Angeles Lakers as they sit on the outside of the Western Conference play-in tournament race with 10 games left.
Los Angeles (35-37) is part of a bunch in which nine teams are separated by a total of four games, topped by the Suns (38-33) in fourth place in the West.
The Lakers are currently in Game 3 of a 5-game homestand. Every game in Los Angeles is crucial because the team is about to embark on a five-game road trip.
- Anthony Davis – Doubt vs. Suns
Anthony Davis has a right foot stress injury and is doubtful to play against the Suns on Wednesday, per Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com.
The star center has averaged 26.6 points, 13.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.4 blocks in 35.3 minutes over the last 10 games.
- LeBron James’ injury status
LeBron James (foot) is expected to return “at some point” this season, according to Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, as reported by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on Sunday.
James has been sidelined for the past 11 games because of a right foot tendon injury. The injury has been bothering him for three weeks now, and he still won’t be able to play on Wednesday against the Suns. There is still no word on when the four-time MVP will be back, but this update does raise the possibility that he will play again this season.
That would be a huge boost for the Lakers, who are clinging to the final Play-In spot in the Western Conference.
The Phoenix Suns (38-33, 37-33-1 ATS) lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, 124-120.
Suns center Deandre Ayton sat out with a hip injury against the Thunder, and they still don’t have Kevin Durant (ankle).
Against the Thunder, Devin Booker scored 46 points on 18-of-28 shooting to carry the Suns. Booker has scored at least 40 points seven times this season. In March, he is averaging 34.1 points per game while shooting 57.4 percent from the field in nine contests.
Since Kevin Durant (ankle) has missed all six of the Suns’ games, Phoenix will need to rely heavily on Booker until his return.
Phoenix has swept the season series against the Lakers, winning both games.
While Anthony Davis scored 37 points and grabbed 21 boards, the Suns still managed to pull out a 115-105 victory at home on November 22. On December 19 at home, without Davis and Booker and with James sitting it out, Phoenix still managed to win by a score of 130-104.