The Los Angeles Lakers have released their injury report for Monday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets. LeBron James (left groin strain) and Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle soreness) will be sidelined, while Luka Dončić (back soreness) and Jaxson Hayes (right knee contusion) are listed as questionable.
Additionally, Rui Hachimura (left patella tendinopathy) and Maxi Kleber (recovering from right foot surgery) remain out.
James sustained his groin injury late in the loss to the Boston Celtics, though he downplayed any serious concern. Despite that, he is expected to miss one to two weeks, as groin strains can be difficult to manage.
Finney-Smith’s absence is significant, as he will miss his return to Brooklyn, further depleting the Lakers’ already thin frontcourt.
Hachimura is set to miss his sixth consecutive game due to a knee issue. While Jarred Vanderbilt has stepped up in his absence, the Lakers have felt the impact, especially with Finney-Smith now also out. Without Hachimura’s floor-spacing ability, the offense has struggled at times, forcing the team to rely more heavily on James and Dončić for playmaking. He is expected to be re-evaluated in about a week.
Hayes also missed the previous game against Boston due to his knee injury. The Lakers are hoping he’ll be available against Brooklyn, as his athleticism, speed, and ability to roll to the rim were noticeably absent in their last game.
Dončić appeared to struggle with his movement against the Celtics, later attributing it to a lingering back issue. His availability remains uncertain, though he indicated he was feeling fine.
The Lakers’ injury woes have come at a tough time, as they are locked in a tight Western Conference playoff race and heading into one of the most challenging stretches of their schedule. Head coach JJ Redick has done an impressive job guiding the team to this point, but keeping them competitive amid so many injuries will be a major challenge.
While Brooklyn may not be the toughest opponent, the Lakers’ depleted roster makes this a game they could easily drop.
Jayson Tatum on LeBron James’ Impact
Despite what LeBron James is accomplishing in his 22nd NBA season being unprecedented, much of the discussion surrounding the Lakers has been about off-court issues rather than his performance. However, Jayson Tatum has taken notice, stating that James isn’t getting the recognition he deserves for his continued dominance on the court.
Leave a Reply