Wednesday’s NBA Cup Lakers-Spurs matchup won’t have all the star power possible. While LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves will all be available, Victor Wembanyama will not suit up for the Spurs.
Maxi Kleber is the only player on the Lakers’ injury report as he’s listed questionable with a lumbar muscle strain.
Wembanyama has been out for the last 11 games due to a calf strain. He did take part in practice on Sunday with the Spurs, but that was his return to the court. Wednesday’s game, then, was a bit too soon for him to get back to playing.
Stephon Castle, who missed nine games himself in the same span, returned on Sunday to play the Pelicans. He is not on the injury report for Wednesday’s game.
For the Lakers, Marcus Smart confirmed at practice on Tuesday that he would return from his back injury after missing the last six games. During the team’s recent road trip, head coach JJ Redick spoke about it not being a long-term injury, though any back injury carries a certain fear of recurrence.
Even given the lack of clarity around Kleber’s availability, he will likely not factor into the rotation if available. That means the Lakers will have their full rotation available, an opportunity that hasn’t been afforded to them much this season.
And it comes at the perfect time with the NBA Cup awaiting the Lakers.
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