The Los Angeles Lakers (51-29) are still very much in play to secure the third seed before the end of the regular season on Sunday.
After JJ Redick’s team secured a 119-103 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night, it learned that the Denver Nuggets (52-28) could be without several key players when they face the Oklahoma City Thunder (64-16) on Friday.
Nuggets injury report versus Thunder:
QUESTIONABLE: Nikola Jokic (Right Wrist Injury Management) Jamal Murray (Right Shoulder Impingement) Aaron Gordon (Right Hamstring Injury Management)
OUT: Peyton Watson (Right Hamstring Strain) Spencer Jones (Right Hamstring Strain)
Can Lakers Clinch 3rd Seed?
Furthermore, the Lakers will face a Devin Booker-less Phoenix Suns team that night.
If the Lakers win and the Nuggets lose on Friday, the Lakers will reclaim the No. 3 seed as they own the tiebreaker against David Adelman’s team.
Given the circumstances, Nuggets beat writer Ryan Blackburn believes the team may be forced to play all its stars because of the threat posed by the Lakers.
“Nuggets aren’t going to get any help from the Lakers or Rockets tonight,” he wrote.
“Warriors are saving everything for the 10th seed, and the Sixers are subpar. Looks like the Nuggets will play Jokic/Murray/Gordon tomorrow. Barnhizer hive assemble.”
Earlier, Blackburn wrote on X that the Nuggets were “playing cat-and-mouse” with the Lakers and were waiting for the result of the Lakers vs. Warriors game on Thursday.
“If Lakers win vs Warriors, Nuggets probably play everybody,” he wrote.
Lakers Beat Warriors
The Lakers ended their three-game losing streak with a comfortable win over their Pacific Division rivals. While the Warriors were without Stephen Curry, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, the Lakers were without Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart. The stage was set for LeBron James to carry the Lakers, which he did.
James finished with 26 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds to lead the way.
After facing the Suns on Friday, the Lakers will close out their season against the lottery-bound Utah Jazz on Sunday. As such, they have a realistic chance of winning their final two games and making a serious case to finish with the third seed.
As for the Nuggets, they will face the mighty San Antonio Spurs on Sunday in their final regular-season fixture. Denver may be forced to play all its stars to maintain seeding.
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