Getting back in LA was easy for ther Lakers, but returning healthy has proven difficult. As they prepare to take on the Nets, the injury report is once again full of names.
Luka Dončić is now questionable to play due to left hamstring soreness. Rui Hachimura is also listed as questionable, and both Marcus Smart and Adou Theiro are out.
The only bright side to this report is that Deandre Ayton is no longer listed. The center missed LA’s most recent game against Indiana due to back soreness.
Luka missing would be the biggest blow for the Lakers. Dončić is having an MVP-level season and needs to play in just four more games to qualify for end-of-season awards.
If he’s out against Brooklyn on Friday, he’ll have to wait until Monday, when LA plays Washington, to participate in his 62nd game of the year.
Hachimura has missed the past two games with this right calf injury. Lakers head coach JJ Redick said he was day-to-day, so hopefully he can return this weekend.
Calf injuries can be tricky, so caution is needed to prevent them from becoming a bigger issue for the forward.
Similar to Hachimura, Smart has also missed the last two Lakers games. Although since he’s already been ruled out against Brooklyn, it’ll be three and counting for the team’s starting guard.
Redick also stated Smart was day-to-day, so we’ll see if there’s a more detailed update this weekend on his injury and his return.
This late into the season, every injury is a big deal.
The Lakers are playing some of their best basketball, but they can only keep it up if their full rotation is available.
Even if Dončić and Hachimura are out for this game, the Lakers should beat the Nets. They are a tanking team and are only playing for NBA Draft Lottery odds at this point.
The best-case scenario for LA is that they get the win in their first game back from their road trip, and everyone who is out gets the rest they need so they can begin next week fully intact.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
