The Los Angeles Lakers (39-38, 7th Western Conference) will visit the Houston Rockets (19-59, 15th Western Conference) on Sunday.
Latest news on Anthony Davis and LeBron James’ injury status
Each of the Los Angeles Lakers’ final five games is crucial in their quest to secure a playoff spot.
The Los Angeles Lakers made transactions before the deadline in order to create a rotation that would limit LeBron James and Anthony Davis minutes.
Nonetheless, despite the Lakers’ roster depth and James’ transcendence, the team’s success hinges on Davis’s availability and supremacy. On Friday, he was both, leading the Lakers to a 123-111 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
AD powered through an ankle ailment to score 38 points, grab 17 rebounds, and block two shots, helping the Lakers (39-38) win their fifth straight game and move up to seventh place in the Western Conference.
On Sunday, the Lakers will take on the Houston Rockets in the second of a four-game road trip, and they will be playing at a high level.
- LeBron James – Questionable
According to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, LeBron James’ (foot) participation in Sunday’s game against the Rockets is in doubt.
James’ status for the rest of the season is in doubt.
This would be his fourth game in less than a month after returning from a month-long vacation, however with easy matchups against Houston and Utah, he may receive a day off.
- Anthony Davis – Questionable
According to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times, Davis (foot) is likely to play on Sunday against the Rockets.
Seven straight games with Davis listed as probable have resulted in appearances.
In averaging 36.7 minutes per game over this stretch, he has posted 28.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.1 steals.
- READ MORE: The latest injury status of Anthony Davis
Even though they are on a winning run right now, the Lakers have had trouble building any kind of sustainable momentum since acquiring players like Malik Beasley, Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, and Jarrett Vanderbilt. Injuries have stunted their development, but on Friday, with everyone chipping in, it was Davis who led the way.
The Lakers’ odds of making the play-in tournament increased after their victory over the Timberwolves, however there is still a slim chance that they will finish higher in the Western Conference and escape the play-in.
The Lakers’ first item of business is exacting revenge for their 114-110 loss to the Houston Rockets on March 15.
Lakers injuries:
- LeBron James (Foot) – Questionable
- Scotty Pippen Jr. (Ankle) – Questionable
- Anthony Davis (Foot) – Questionable
- Mo Bamba (Ankle) – Out
Rockets injuries:
- Jae’Sean Tate (Knee) – Out
