The Los Angeles Lakers could be without one of their key contributors Friday night, with Luke Kennard listed as questionable against the Phoenix Suns due to left finger injury management.
Kennard logged 32 minutes in Thursday’s game and may be held out on the second night of a back-to-back as the Lakers continue to manage workloads late in the regular season.
His potential absence would come at a challenging time for Los Angeles, which remains without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves due to injuries.
Kennard Taking on Expanded Role
GettyLuke Kennard of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with Deandre Ayton, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Jake LaRavia after scoring a go-ahead three-point-basket in the fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic.
Kennard has stepped into a significantly larger role since Dončić and Reaves went down.
Over his last three games, he has averaged 13.0 points, 9.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds, serving as one of the Lakers’ primary ball-handlers and facilitators.
That shift has required an adjustment for a player known more for shooting than playmaking.
“Yeah, it’s something I haven’t really done, especially I haven’t done it this year at all being that involved and having the ball in my hands that much,” Kennard said.
“It’s something I’ve done before, I’m comfortable with. Obviously, I gotta be better with it… it’s just getting everybody connected, being organized out there and just being confident with it.”
Triple-Double Effort Highlights Versatility
Kennard showcased that expanded role in Sunday’s loss to Dallas, where he recorded 15 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists while playing a team-high 41 minutes.
The performance marked one of the most complete outings of his career, even as he struggled with his shooting efficiency, finishing 5-of-17 from the field.
Despite that, Kennard emphasized that aggressiveness remains his priority.
“I still need to be aggressive and look for my shot,” he said. “We can talk about efficiency, percentages, all that. That’s not even a thing for me. It’s being aggressive… trying to get our team the best look that we can get.”
Kennard added that the expanded role is something he is still adjusting to but views as an opportunity for growth.
“I haven’t really been in this position much… but something I’m looking forward to being better at and getting better with.”
Lakers Could Turn to Young Guards
If Kennard is unable to play, the Lakers may need to rely more heavily on younger players.
Nick Smith Jr. and Bronny James are among the options who could see increased minutes, particularly in ball-handling roles.
The team has already been forced to stretch its rotation with multiple injuries, making depth a key factor heading into Friday’s matchup.
Marcus Smart Return Provides Stability for Lakers
GettyMarcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers dives for a loose ball.
The potential absence of Kennard could be offset by the return of Marcus Smart.
Smart has been cleared to play after missing nine consecutive games with a bruised right ankle. His return gives the Lakers a veteran presence on the perimeter and another option to handle defensive assignments.
Smart has averaged 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game this season, along with 1.4 steals.
He also leads the team in plus/minus at +238 across 60 games, highlighting his overall impact.
Playoff Positioning Remains Tight
The Lakers enter Friday’s game still battling for positioning in the Western Conference.
They trail the Denver Nuggets by one game for the No. 3 seed and are tied with the Houston Rockets for the No. 4 spot, which carries homecourt advantage in the first round.
The tight jockeying for favorable seeding adds urgency to availability decisions, particularly for players like Kennard who have taken on expanded roles.
With injuries continuing to reshape the rotation, Kennard’s status adds another layer of uncertainty for a Lakers team trying to hold its position heading into the postseason.
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