The Los Angeles Lakers (11-2) currently lead the Western Conference standings, but they face multiple injuries ahead of Sunday’s game against the Phoenix Suns (5-6). Fortunately, they’ve avoided any long-term setbacks, but Lakers fans are still concerned about the team’s current state.
That’s why, on Friday, head coach JJ Redick provided clarity in a chat with the media, revealing the latest development with each of the four injured Lakers guards: Austin Reaves, Luka Doncic, Collin Sexton, and Quentin Grimes.
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“Luka is fine,” said Redick on Friday. “The expectation would be that he’s available. AR is based on his physical evaluation and how he was feeling yesterday. We opted against imaging; he’ll be day-to-day. We’ll have him on the report tomorrow at 5:00. Collin is in the same boat. Concussion’s been ruled out; he ended up getting stitches, and he’ll be day-to-day. And then Q [Quentin Grimes] was able to do the live part of the stay-ready game.”
Plenty of NBA teams have been plagued by injuries this season, and the Lakers are no exception. Since opening night, they’ve had various players in and out of the lineup, but it hasn’t made much of a difference. Thanks to Redick’s coaching, a loaded roster, and heroics from Luka (averaging 38.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game on 48.9% shooting), they’ve been a dominant force in the West, but things could always take a turn for the worse.
In that one game against the Milwaukee Bucks on November 11th, four different players got banged up, including Doncic himself. The MVP frontrunner turned his ankle late in the fourth quarter on Wednesday, raising fears he could miss time. Fortunately, he woke up pain-free the following morning, all but sealing his active status for Sunday’s game.
It’s a similar story with guard Quentin Grimes, who has provided a major boost off the bench with averages of 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game on 43.1% shooting from the field. With a sprained finger, his condition was never serious, and Redick confirmed today that he was well enough to participate in live contact drills.
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6’5″ guard Austin Reaves is facing a slightly more serious situation. He only played 25 minutes against the Bucks after landing awkwardly on a dunk in the third quarter. He tested negative for an Achilles injury and opted out of further tests as he works toward a quick return. He’s currently day-to-day, suggesting that he might need more time to get his body right. This season, in 12 games, he’s averaging 24.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game on 51.3% shooting from the field.
For Collin Sexton, concussion protocol was activated after a head-to-head collision with Ryan Rollins. He needed stitches to fix a cut above his right eye, but the Lakers confirmed that he suffered no other complications. He should be cleared to play on Sunday, but there’s still a chance he could sit if the Lakers prefer to be extra cautious.
With the rest of today and all of tomorrow to rest and heal, the Lakers are likely at full strength for their next game, and we know what that means for their chances of victory. What’s better, with showdowns against the Hornets, Jazz, and Kings on their schedule, this next stretch of games could easily extend their win streak.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
