The idea of both the Los Angeles Lakers (36-31) and Golden State Warriors (34-31) missing the playoffs is easy to grasp when closely examining their respective seasons, and yet it still feels incomprehensible. A Western Conference gauntlet without two of the faces of this generation in LeBron James and Steph Curry is surely making NBA Commissioner Adam Silver fidget.
However, he should be thrilled about what this situation can do for the Play-In Tournament ratings. Neither team can feel overly comfortable right now. If the regular season were to end with the current standings in place, the Lakers and Warriors would be competing in a do-or-die game just to earn an opportunity to clinch the No. 8 seed.
With so many championship rings among the players occupying these two franchises, such a fate feels simultaneously epic and downright bizarre. A new era of basketball is on the way, though, and this could be the reality facing these organizations in the coming years. But the Lakers and their fans have no time to worry about an existential crisis right now.
Much like last year, they are in desperation mode for the final stretch of the year. Therefore, Saturday night's California faceoff will have a big-game feel to it. That is, unless their two best players are not available.
Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis find themselves on the latest injury report, so fans are surely curious to know if they will be playing in this crucial matchup against the Warriors.
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Injury status for Lakers' LeBron James, Anthony Davis
James was initially listed as questionable to compete (left ankle) while Davis was probable (Achilles). Fortunately, both players have since been given the greenlight to play in the must-win battle with the Warriors.
LeBron, AD, Steph and Draymond all in the lineup for Lakers vs. Warriors pic.twitter.com/jNnhVhUeC5
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvo_) March 17, 2024
Fans know this tedious routine by now. The two stars are consistently on the injury report in one form or the other, but they have done a good job of powering through much of the year.
James' condition has been more unpredictable. His nagging ankle issues did force him to miss last week's battle with the Milwaukee Bucks, one that LA squeaked out in large part because of a magnificent showing from D'Angelo Russell. The team will presumably lean on the guard again, in addition to James and Davis of course, to propel the Lakers to victory against Golden State.
The Warriors dealt with their own injury questions ahead of this collision, with both Stephen Curry and Draymond Green's status initially unknown. The two have since been made available to play for Golden State as well.
So for the question, “Are LeBron James and Anthony Davis playing vs. Warriors?” the answer is a big YES.
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