The NBA has not finalized the date for the Los Angeles Lakers-Los Angeles Clippers makeup game following the death of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, according to David Wharton of the Los Angeles Times.
League executives could schedule the Lakers – Clippers game for the day after the regular season ends, but there are issues with that:
More than three weeks have passed with no announcement of a makeup date as the league deals with an uncooperative calendar. Neither the Lakers nor the Clippers have an obvious, mutual opening over the remaining regular season. To make matters worse, they must share Staples Center with the Kings and frequent special events such as concerts. A league spokesman said Thursday that no date has been finalized.
League executives could schedule the (Lakers – Clippers) game for the day after the regular season ends, but that also poses a problem. By that time, the result could be meaningless in terms of playoff seedings for one or both teams, a situation that could lead to most if not all the starters resting on the bench. But the outcome could also affect the seeding of another Western Conference team, with its postseason fate decided by a contest played between substitutes.
The Lakers are 41-12 on the season. They are in first place in the Western Conference standings with LeBron James and Anthony Davis leading the charge.
The Clippers, meanwhile, sit at 37-18, which is good for third place in the West behind the Lakers and Denver Nuggets. The Clippers are title contenders for the first time in franchise history with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George leading the charge.
Basketball fans in LA are hoping the Lakers and Clippers meet in the Western Conference Finals. A seven-game series between LeBron and Davis against Kawhi and George would be special to watch.
It would capture the imagination of basketball fans everywhere, and provide a powerfully emotional crescendo for the NBA season in which Kobe Bryant, an icon for the Lakers, left this world.
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