The Los Angeles Lakers will be far from full strength when they take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
The Lakers will be missing Luka Doncic (right ankle sprain), LeBron James (left groin strain) and Austin Reaves (right ankle sprain). The trio combine for more than 75 points per game.
Additionally, LA will face the Bucks without Rui Hachimura and Maxi Kleber. Dorian Finney-Smith and Jarred Vanderbilt - a pair of key role players - are doubtful for the matchup.
"Lakers' injury report is….lengthy," said Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation.
The lengthy injury report isn't necessarily a cause for concern - the Lakers are playing their sixth game in eight days and are on the second night of a back-to-back. LA's next game is on Saturday at home against the Chicago Bulls, which would give their guys some extra time to catch their breath.
However, some fans were not a fan of resting some players who are banged up.
"Doesn't seem smart to completely tank a game but maybe that's just me," one fan said.
The Lakers are 43-25 entering the matchup and in third place in the Western Conference. But every game matters, with just two games separating the No. 2 seed and the No. 5 seed.
"Lakers act like we can afford to punt games but okay. Hope it all works out," another fan added.
The Lakers are putting long-term health ahead of short-term gains. LA still holds the fourth-best odds to win the NBA title (+1,500 at ESPN BET), tied with the Denver Nuggets and trailing only the Thunder, Celtics, and Cavaliers.
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This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 10:07 PM.