The Los Angeles Lakers continue their 5-game road trip as they visit the Brooklyn Nets tonight at the Barclays Center. This will be the second and final matchup between these two teams for the season, with the season series currently favoring the Lakers 1-0.
The Nets currently hold a 30-19 record for the season, good for the 4th spot in the Eastern Conference standings so far. They will enter this game having won their last game against city rivals New York Knicks with a final score of 130-122. Nets star Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 32 points as he helped his team survive the Knicks.
On the other hand, the Lakers have been struggling so far this season. They currently sit at the 13th spot in the Western Conference with a 23-27 record. Their last game was a heartbreaking 125-121 overtime loss against the Boston Celtics, which also featured a controversial final-minute no-call by the refs. Jaylen Brown scored a team-high 37 points along with Jayson Tatum who scored 30 points for the Celtics in the win.
LeBron James is listed as out for the Los Angeles Lakers vs Brooklyn Nets game tonight
LeBron James has been playing at an astonishingly high level this season. The 38-year-old has played in 40 games this season so far and is averaging an impressive 30.2/8.5/7.1. He recently got named as an All-Star starter yet again this season, this being his 19th time getting selected. However, he is listed as out for tonight’s game with ankle soreness.
Along with him, the Lakers will be missing star forward Anthony Davis and guard Austin Reaves (hamstring), both of whom are listed as out for tonight’s contest. Lonnie Walker IV (knee) is listed as probable for tonight’s game.
Lakers‘ Anthony Davis and LeBron James are listed out Monday vs. Nets.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 29, 2023
For the Nets, star forward Kevin Durant (knee) will remain out for tonight’s game. Along with him, guard Ben Simmons (knee) is listed as questionable, and forward T.J. Warren (lower leg) is listed as doubtful for tonight’s game.
Here are the injury reports and expected roster for the Lakers-Nets game tonight:
Los Angeles Lakers injury report
- LeBron James (Out)
- Anthony Davis (Out)
- Austin Reaves (Out)
- Lonnie Walker IV (Probable)
Los Angeles Lakers expected roster
-
Dennis Schröder
- Patrick Beverley
- Lonnie Walker IV (Probable)
- Troy Brown Jr.
-
Thomas Bryant
Brooklyn Nets injury report
- Kevin Durant (Out)
- T.J. Warren (Doubtful)
- Ben Simmons (Questionable)
Brooklyn Nets expected roster
-
Ben Simmons (Probable)
- Kyrie Irving
- Royce O’Neale
- Joe Harris
- Nicolas Claxton
The Brooklyn Nets are favored to win against the Los Angeles Lakers
The last time these two teams faced off against each other was on November 14 last year in which the Lakers secured a 116-103 win. Anthony Davis recorded a monster double-double with 37 points and 18 rebounds in that win. For the Nets, Kevin Durant scored a team-high 31 points in that loss. Tonight, however, that result is unlikely to repeat.
With Irving being in top form for the Nets, who have won 3 of their last 5, it is highly likely that they will even out the season series with a win tonight. Even without Durant, the Nets have enough firepower to get the win in this one. Also, the Lakers missing LeBron and Davis will make a huge difference in this game. So, expect a win for the Nets but an exciting game nonetheless, as these two teams battle it out.