The Los Angeles Lakers provided an injury update on stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
James missed the Lakers’ final game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, but he was ruled out for Tuesday’s game with a left calf contusion. Davis (left adductor/hip spasm) is listed as probable, which is a good sign for his chance to play Tuesday.
The Lakers will not have guard Gabe Vincent (fluid in left knee), forward Jared Vanderbilt (left heel bursitis) or rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino (right) on Tuesday Patellar contusion).
It’s a good sign for the Lakers that James is questionable for at least Tuesday’s game, as it gives him a chance to return to the court. Against the Trail Blazers on Sunday, the Lakers had six different players score in double figures without James.
Davis (30 points) led the Lakers, but Cam Reddish (18 points), Rui Hachimura (19 points), Austin Reeves (18 points), D’Angelo Russell ( 11 points) and Taurean Prince (11 points) both stepped up for Los Angeles in James’ absence.
So far this season, James has averaged 25.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game, shooting 56.9% from the field and 34.8% from three-point range. He’s played 35 minutes or more in several games, and Lakers head coach Davin Hamm revealed Sunday that he doesn’t want to lose the four-time champion too early in the season.
Since joining the Lakers before the 2018-19 season, James has only played more than 56 games once (2019-20 season). The Lakers won the championship that season.
Davis has only missed one game for the Lakers this season (November 8 against the Houston Rockets) and has been a solid presence in the lineup. The star big man averaged 23.9 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 52.7% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc.
If both James and Davis can play on Tuesday, the Lakers will be in a good position to defeat a Memphis team that is just 2-8 on the season.
The Lakers and Grizzlies are scheduled to play at 7:30 pm PST on November 14 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.