The Los Angeles Lakers will be without numerous essential and non-vital contributors tonight against the Washington Wizards due to their late start.
The Lake Show is hopeful that the star of the show yesterday will be able to suit up on the second night of a back-to-back set of games, following a remarkable 21-point fourth quarter comeback triumph against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, but that is not guaranteed.
According to the NBA’s most recent injury report, the same three rotating bench players that missed the game against Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and others will be out tonight as well. Forward Jarred Vanderbilt is still sidelined with a right mid-foot sprain, point guard Gabe Vincent is still recovering from left knee surgery, and center/power forward Christian Wood is still out with a left knee effusion.
Meanwhile, three LA rookies will be unavailable. previous No. 17 overall pick Jalen Hood Schifino and previous No. 40 pick Maxwell Lewis are still on assignment with the South Bay Lakers. Colin Castleton, a two-way signee, is still recovering from a fractured right wrist.
All-Star forward LeBron James is questionable due to left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, but he didn’t appear to mind as he scored a Lakers-high 34 points against the Clippers yesterday (including 19 in the fourth quarter alone). However, the 39-year-old is the NBA’s oldest player, and the Lakers should be able to beat the Clippers with or without him, so perhaps it’s acceptable if he sits out this game. All-Star center Anthony Davis is expected to play despite suffering from bilateral Achilles tendinopathy, while small forward Cam Reddish is expected to play for the second time in a month as he recovers from a right ankle sprain.
