The Los Angeles Lakers were arguably playing their best basketball of the season in March, with Luka Doncic on an incredible run, while Austin Reaves and LeBron James were stepping up as well. However, just one game into April, misfortune struck.
Doncic was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and is expected to miss the entire first round of the playoffs. Reaves also suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain and is expected to miss at least part of the first round, if not the entire series.
Los Angeles has also been without one of its most impactful contributors on both ends of the floor, Marcus Smart, who has not played since March 21 due to a right ankle contusion. Jaxson Hayes has also missed a couple of games due to left-foot soreness, but there is optimism ahead of Friday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns.
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Speaking with reporters after Thursday's win against the Warriors, head coach JJ Redick said he is hopeful both Hayes and Smart will be available for the Suns matchup.
"JJ Redick said the Lakers are 'hopeful' that Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes are back in the lineup Friday vs. PHX and that LeBron James is able to play the 2nd night of the back-to-back. If LAL beats PHX and HOU loses to MIN on Friday, the Lakers will clinch the No. 4 seed," ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported.
The Lakers have already clinched a playoff spot and are currently fourth in the Western Conference with a 51–29 record, one game behind the 52–28 Denver Nuggets. A win against Phoenix, combined with a Denver loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, would keep the door open for the No. 3 seed. That scenario could require James to play another back-to-back, something the 41-year-old has rarely done this season.
However, he has also stepped up whenever needed, leading the Lakers to a 119–103 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. James scored a game-high 26 points, along with 11 assists, eight rebounds, and two steals, while shooting 11-of-17 from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range.
He received strong support across the roster, with six other Lakers scoring in double figures, including 21 points and five rebounds from Deandre Ayton.
Heading into the matchup against Phoenix, the good news for the Lakers is that the Suns are also shorthanded. Devin Booker (right ankle injury management), Jordan Goodwin (left ankle sprain), and Haywood Highsmith (right knee injury management) have all been ruled out for Friday's game.
