There is growing optimism that LeBron James will suit up for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Phoenix Suns on Friday, less than 24 hours after the veteran star led his team to a 119-103 win over the Golden State Warriors.
James also downplayed the severity of his hand injury.
Lakers Can Reclaim 3rd Seed
James, 41, has appeared in only one set of back-to-back games this season against the Washington Wizards (March 30) and Cleveland Cavaliers (March 31) last month.
However, with Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) sidelined with injuries, James may have no option but to play another back-to-back, given the stakes involved. The Lakers have the opportunity to reclaim the No. 3 seed on Friday, provided the Denver Nuggets lose to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It’s worth noting that the Nuggets could be without several players when facing the reigning NBA champions, while the Suns will be without Devin Booker against the Lakers. As such, Redick’s team may have a golden opportunity to reclaim the third seed.
Another factor working in the Lakers’ favor is that they will close out their season against the lottery-bound Utah Jazz on Sunday, while the Nuggets will have to face the mighty San Antonio Spurs in their regular-season finale.
LeBron James Carries Lakers
James, who had 26 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds on Thursday, helped the Lakers snap their three-game losing streak with a win over the Warriors.
After the game, Redick praised James for carrying the team to a win.
“The play was fantastic, the offensive efficiency and then the full complete game with the assists and the rebounds and the steals and blocks,” Redick said of James.
Redick also revealed the conversation he had with the team beforehand.
“I told the guys before the game when we met right before they went out for warmups that tonight was a spirit game for all of us,” he said, via Lakers Nation.
“To have the right spirit, to be all-in. I thought we did that. I would say I’m not surprised because we have been on hikes all season long and gotten lost in the woods and nobody thinks we’re gonna be rescued and we find a path and we get back to the meddow and find civilization.
“We’re gonna be OK. That’s what our group is. I think we’ve all just embraced that, and now we just have to find that with this group. Tonight was a step in finding that path with this group.”
If the Lakers go 2-0 in their final two games and the Nuggets go 1-1, the Lakers will secure the third seed as they own the tiebreaker against David Adelman’s team.
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