With just hours to go before tip-off at the Paycom Center, the Los Angeles Lakers sent out an update that brought major relief to their fans. In an announcement on Tuesday afternoon, they revealed their updated injury report with an upgraded status for five key players.
“Lakers announce Luka Doncic (right groin strain), Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle effusion), LeBron James (left groin strain), Austin Reaves (right ankle sprain) and Gabe Vincent (left knee effusion) have been upgraded to PROBABLE for tonight’s game at Oklahoma City,” wrote Daniel Starkland of Lakers Nation. “Looks like they may play after all.”
Initially, Doncic, Finney-Smith, James, Vincent, and Reaves were all listed as questionable for the game and experts predicted the Lakers might sit them to avoid overexerting their players in the final back-to-back games of the season.
After tonight’s game against the Thunder, their second in three nights, they will have to endure an emotional reunion with Anthony Davis, who will be active against the Lakers on Wednesday. But with the Lakers set to be at full strength tonight, it seems they are going all-in on placing as high as they can in the standings. For Lakers fans, it’s a sign that the team is fighting as hard as they can.
“Lakers been treating this season like it’s championship or bust,” wrote a Lakers fan on X.
The Lakers had championship ambitions before the season started and they only increased after the arrival of Luka Doncic. Now, as the playoffs approach, everyone is feeling the heat and all eyes are on Los Angeles.
The Luka trade wasn’t that long ago and it’s good that the full roster will be active tonight since the Lakers need to keep building their chemistry to avoid an epic collapse.
“They’re getting ready for the playoffs. We already know Luka can beat OKC,” wrote one fan. “Well except, Nico Harrison and Patrick Dumont.”
It was a big decision to have the full team play tonight but many fans theorize it could be due to the Lakers’ efforts to lock up the third seed in the West and secure their preferred path to the Finals.
“Wonder if they feel confident that a win tonight locks them into 3rd seed (due to Denver news, remaining schedules, etc),” wrote one Lakers fan. “Punt the Dallas game tomorrow (or better chance at winning that game too even resting players) and go for the win on Friday against Houston which would then mathematically lock them into 3 (assuming they win tonight).”
The Western Conference is stacked and it’s going to be a tough fight for both sides of the bracket. Still, some matchups are better than others and the Lakers intend to take the path of least resistance.
If the playoffs started today, the Lakers would play the Golden State Warriors in the first round, who have been the hottest team in the league since acquiring Jimmy Butler in February.
In the second round, they’d be tasked to face off against the Rockets or Timberwolves/Grizzlies. Both teams have elite defenses and tough backcourts that will make life difficult for Luka Doncic.
Finally, the Lakers would likely have to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Conference Finals. The Lakers are fresh off a win against the Thunder and tonight, they’ll get another chance to give them a loss.
If the Lakers can just hold their ground and win out these last four games, they will have a path to the Finals for the first time since 2020.
