The Los Angeles Lakers will play the Atlanta Hawks on Friday at 10 p.m. Continue reading to learn more about this match.
The latest injury update for Anthony Davis and LeBron James
Injury Update for the Hawks
Capela (calf) is listed as out for Friday’s game against the Lakers, according to Kevin Chouinard of the Hawks’ official website.
Capela will miss his sixth game in a row due to a right calf strain. While the veteran recovers from his injury, Onyeka Okongwu will continue to start at center. Capela’s next game will be against the Clippers on Sunday.
Injury Update for the Lakers
According to ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin, James is expected to play in Friday’s game against the Hawks despite continuing to deal with left ankle soreness.
James was listed as out on Friday with ankle soreness after missing Wednesday’s game due to a non-COVID illness.
Juan Toscano-Anderson will almost certainly be relegated to the bench if he does play against Atlanta.
- Austin Reaves
Reaves will miss Friday’s game against the Hawks due to a left hamstring strain, according to ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin.
It’s unclear when Reaves injured himself because he started and played 32 minutes on Wednesday, but his absence could be precautionary given that Friday’s game is the first of a back-to-back set. In any case, Kendrick Nunn and Troy Brown (quad) should see more playing time on Friday.
- Damian Jones
Jones is listed as questionable for Friday’s game against the Hawks due to right great toe soreness, according to ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin.
Despite Anthony Davis’ (foot) absence, Jones has been out of the lineup for the last five games. Regardless of whether he plays or not, the Lakers’ rotation should remain relatively unchanged.
- Lonnie Walker IV
Walker (knee) will not play against Atlanta on Friday, according to ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin.
Walker will miss his fourth straight game due to left knee pain. With Friday’s game being the first of two back-to-backs, he will have another chance to play Saturday in Sacramento.
Troy Brown (quad) and Kendrick Nunn are both candidates for more playing time on Friday.
- Troy Brown Jr.
Brown (quad) is questionable for Friday’s game against the Hawks, according to ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin.
Brown left Wednesday’s game after suffering an injury, did not return, and is expected to miss Friday’s game as well.
If this is the case, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Wenyen Gabriel will be in line for increased workloads.
- Russell Westbrook
Westbrook (foot) is listed as probable for Friday’s game against the Hawks, according to Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times.
After nearly recording a triple-double against the Heat on Wednesday, the veteran guard felt soreness in his left foot on Thursday, prompting the Lakers to list Westbrook as probable for Friday.
Barring any major setbacks, expect the guard to play on Friday.
Davis’ foot pain has “just about dissipated,” according to ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin, and he’s “trending in the right direction” in terms of a return ramp-up.
Davis will be re-evaluated in the first week of January, and it’s encouraging to hear he’s nearly pain-free.
However, pain isn’t the only issue, and the medical team will want to make sure everything is in order before Davis returns. Meanwhile, Thomas Bryant will almost certainly keep his starting spot at center.
