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We know that LeBron James is getting closer to a return from the high ankle sprain that’s kept him out for nearly six weeks, but the Lakers are again listing him as out for their Friday game against the Sacramento Kings. Alex Caruso is also once again being listed as questionable with the same back spasms that kept him out against the Washington Wizards after forcing him to leave the game early vs. the Orlando Magic earlier this week.
If Caruso is out, this will be the second game in a row he’s missed.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (right ankle sprain), Anthony Davis (right calf strain), Marc Gasol (volar plate fracture, left pinkie finger) and Dennis Schröder (left calf soreness) are all probable, according to the Lakers.
On the James front, it’s not surprising he isn’t quite ready to go, although according to the latest reports, he isn’t far off, and could return as soon as Sunday against the Toronto Raptors. And let’s just say that his new tattoos might not be the only reason he’s posting horror movie music on his Instagram...
Unfortunately just this I think pic.twitter.com/FtuLzo4OH4
— Brian (@Brian__3313) April 30, 2021
Things might be about to get scary for the rest of the league...
Even without James (and potentially Caruso), the Sacramento Kings team that the Lakers will be taking on is also pretty banged up. As expected, they will be missing both De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes, who are both still in the health and safety protocols and are now officially ruled out. Robert Woodard II is also out with lower back soreness, but the Kings will likely be getting some reinforcements in the form of Marvin Bagley III, who the team is listing as probable after missing extended time with a finger fracture. Still, this should be a winnable one for the Lakers, even without their star.
The Lakers and Kings will tip off at at 7:30 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBA TV, and locally on Spectrum SportsNet.
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