Lakers head coach JJ Redick said getting his roster healthy is the top priority as Los Angeles enters the final stretch of the regular season.
Star guard Luka Doncic is listed as questionable for Friday night’s road matchup against the Brooklyn Nets because of left hamstring soreness, according to Dan Woike of The Athletic. Doncic has appeared in 61 of the Lakers’ 73 games and must log at least 20 minutes in four of the remaining nine contests to remain eligible for major postseason awards, including MVP and All-NBA honors.
Forward Rui Hachimura, who missed the past two outings with a right calf strain, has been upgraded to questionable. Center Deandre Ayton is no longer on the injury report after sitting out Wednesday’s win in Indiana with back tightness.
Marcus Smart will be sidelined for a third consecutive game because of a right ankle contusion. Following Monday’s loss in Detroit, guard Austin Reaves called Smart the “glue guy” for his unselfish play, defensive presence, and intensity.
Redick stresses full rotation
Redick told reporters that having his entire nine-man group available is critical after the mid-season acquisition of Luke Kennard. “When all nine guys have played, we’ve been a good basketball team,” he said. “You need Smart for his ball-handling, you need Smart for his defense, you need Rui for his shooting. Those pieces are important to complement everybody.”
The Lakers face a Brooklyn squad riding a nine-game losing streak and losers of 19 of its last 21. With the opponent struggling and Doncic dealing with soreness rather than a strain, Friday’s game could offer Los Angeles a chance to rest its leading scorer if necessary.
Source: Hoops Wire
