The Lakers (51-29) will complete their final back-to-back of the season on Friday against the Phoenix Suns (44-36).
A win would greatly help them secure the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. With just a couple of games left, this playoff race will come down to the wire.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
When: 7:30 p.m. PT, Apr 10
Where: Crypto.com Arena
Watch: Spectrum Sportsnet
LA hasn’t had much luck against Phoenix this season. They have lost three of their four matchups against them, with
Devin Booker and longtime Lakers foe Dillon Brooks doing most of the damage in those contests.
At this point in the season, the Suns are cemented as the No. 7 seed, so they don’t have the same urgency to win as the Lakers do. That could work in the Lakers’ favor.
For LA to win, it’s going to take a coalition of the willing. That means LeBron James, if he’s active, has to carry a large load once again. As the team’s best available ball handler, he has to score and set up the players on the court for good looks at the basket.
For those looks to be converted, his teammates have to knock down shots. Rui Hachimura is one of LA’s best shooters, converting on 43.6% of his 3-point attempts. Luke Kennard is another laser who can get hot from deep. Kennard’s also shown the ability to handle the ball now that Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are out.
Also, can LA get a big performance from Deandre Ayton? He’s coming off a good performance in LA’s win over Golden State, and that level of play is something he can regularly do.
If he replicates that on Friday night, the Lakers can end the game with possession of the fourth seed with just one contest remaining.
The Lakers need this game and the Suns don’t. That, along with the playoffs approaching, should be motivation enough to push through the exhaustion of the back-to-back and secure the result.
Notes and Updates
- There is no injury report available for the Laker at this time, as they are playing on the second night of a back-to-back. Luka Dončić (left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (left oblique muscle strain) will remain out. Hopefully, Jaxson Hayes (left foot soreness) and Marcus Smart (right ankle contusion) can return.
- As for the Suns, Devin Booker (right ankle injury management), Haywood Highsmith (right knee injury management) and Jordan Goodwin (left ankle sprain) are out. Jalen Green (right knee soreness) is questionable.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
