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The Los Angeles Lakers are back home in STAPLES Center for the first time since their Jan. 23 victory over the Boston Celtics, hosting the Phoenix Suns for a Pacific Division battle. This will be the Lakers’ final game before the trade deadline passes, so get your wind-up Kodak cameras ready just in case you need to make the moment last a little longer.
Devin Booker has been ruled out of the contest which is great news for the Lakers, who will continue riding along without Lonzo Ball. The purple and gold have won 10 of their last 14 games, currently on a two-game winning streak. Taking on the Suns (18-36) without their top player is an opportunity this “surging” Lakers team can’t let slip away.
It’d also be nice for the Lakers to come out strong with the deadline looming, showing the capability of tuning the noise and uncertainty out on the basketball court. Perhaps a triple-byline report from ESPN indicating the front office has begun shifting its focus to the free agency class of 2019 will ease some of the anxiety on the roster.
The Lakers get to enjoy their return to California briefly, playing just two games at home before hitting the road for a three-game excursion. By the time that concludes, the NBA will be entering All-Star weekend mode as the entire league shifts to Los Angeles.
Enjoy the game!
Time: 7:30 p.m. PT
TV: Spectrum SportsNet, FSAZ