The Los Angeles Lakers will be hosting the Phoenix Suns tonight at the Crypto.com Arena. The Lakers will hope to follow up their win against the Magic last time out.
It is the most desperate of times for the Lakers to string together a winning run. Things are looking rather tight for the 17x NBA champions, who are sitting out of the playoff spots. There is a slight chance that the Lakers might make it to the playoffs, with favorable results elsewhere.
Even if the Lakers manage to secure playoff spots, they will be facing stronger opposition in the postseason. As for the Suns, they are in a comfortable spot to secure a playoff spot and are 4th in the Western Conference. This will be the 3rd meeting between the two and it will be the Lakers who will be pushing the issue. As they will play the Suns once again next month.
LeBron James is out for the Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns game tonight
This season LeBron James has been plagued with injuries as he is not getting any younger with each passing game. Nonetheless, even in his 20th season, he has been the best player for the Lakers. There is still some time for LeBron to come back and is listed as out for tonight’s game against the Suns.
REPORT: LeBron James has aggravated stress fracture injury in his foot. Lakers medical team describe it as a “unique injury that they have never seen before.”
He’s expected to be out for the season and with no guarantee he’ll be back for next season.
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(h/t @LakeShowCP) pic.twitter.com/TgjDSkfS0v
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentrol) March 18, 2023
This might just be the Suns’ year when they finally lift the NBA title, with the addition of Kevin Durant in the trade. However, it wasn’t meant to be as Durant is absent yet again for the Suns after rolling his ankle during a warm-up session. He will be evaluated in another week, as this puts a halt to the team-building chemistry before the playoffs. Nonetheless, let’s take a look at the complete injury report and expected roster of both teams.
Los Angeles Lakers injury report
- LeBron James (Out)
- Anthony Davis (Probable)
- Mo Bamba (Out)
Los Angeles Lakers expected roster
- Troy Brown Jr.
- Jarred Vanderbilt
- Anthony Davis (Probable)
- D’Angelo Russell
- Malik Beasley
Phoenix Suns injury report
- Kevin Durant (Out)
- Deandre Ayton (Out)
Phoenix Suns expected roster
- Torrey Craig
- Josh Okogie
- Bismack Biyombo
- Devin Booker
- Chris Paul
The Los Angeles Lakers will be favored to win
Despite the Lakers missing out on King James, the team has shown potential in the last couple of games. D’Angelo Russell is performing at a good level, and the Lakers looking solid overall. With a revamped roster, eyebrows were raised at the head coach, however, things are starting to tick. They will be the hungrier of the two sides going into the game, as they have all to play for. They picked up a win last time out against the Orlando magic.
The Suns were dealt another blow when Deandre Ayton suffered an injury, he has been a solid defender this season. Looking at the injury list for the Suns, they are coming short-handed on quality against the Lakers. Despite the injuries on both sides, it looks like the Lakers will make sure to take the win.
