The Lakers homestand continues on Saturday afternoon when they take on the Golden State Warriors. Los Angeles looks to tie the season series with their Pacific Division foe.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors
When: 5:30 p.m. PT, Feb. 7
Where: Crypto.com Arena
Watch: ABC
The Lakers’ recent victory over the Philadelphia 76ers was a quality win. Not only did they beat a team with an above .500 record, but they also had a good day in the Western Conference standings. The teams above and below
them in the standings — specifically the Houston Rockets and Phoenix Suns — both lost, making the win over Philadelphia even more impactful.
Unfortunately, though, LA lost Luka Dončić to a leg injury in the same game. It is reportedly not considered a major injury. However, Dončić has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Warriors, similar to Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, who both are nursing their own injuries as well.
So that means that the second game between the Lakers and Warriors this season will once again feature an incomplete cast just like the season opener.
That said, the purple and gold will still have LeBron James — who missed the season debut against the Warriors — as well as Austin Reaves, who will take charge of the offense with Dončić out.
What the Lakers looked like in the second half against the Sixers will pretty much be how they will be in the midst of Dončić’s absence. LA is still a tough team to beat, especially when Reaves is playing like an All-Star and with James doing the same. On top of that, they’ve also had the 11th-best defense in the NBA over the last 10 games, and it’d be nice if they can keep that up.
The Warriors team that the Lakers will see on Saturday may be without two of their best players, but they’re still a very scrappy unit. They outplayed the Suns in the clutch in their last game, completing a comeback victory. Expect them to play their brand of basketball, which involves the usual motion offense, lots of 3-point attempts (they lead the league in that) and a pesky defense.
This game could also be Luke Kennard’s first one as a Laker. He is currently listed as questionable, as the trade is still pending. His 3-point shooting would give the purple and gold an additional boost.
Despite some star power missing, expect this Lakers-Warriors matchup to still have some extra intensity. Let’s see if LA can use their home crowd to ignite them to a win on Saturday.
Notes and Updates
- For the Lakers’ injury report, Luka Kennard (trade pending) is currently listed as questionable.
- Luka Dončić (left hamstring strain) and Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain) are out.
- As for the Warriors, Stephen Curry (right patellofemoral pain syndrome), Seth Curry (left sciatic nerve irritation), Li Cryer (left hamstring injury) and Jimmy Butler (right ACL tear) are out.
- Brandon Podziemski (illness) is probable.
You can follow Nicole on Twitter at @nicoleganglani.
