Lakers star Anthony Davis is reportedly considered unlikely to play in a pivotal Game 5 on Tuesday due to a strained groin. But even if they’re missing their second-leading scorer and frontcourt anchor, the Lakers remain confident in their ability to hang with the No. 2 Suns, writes Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times.
“There is plenty of confidence that we have now without AD. That’s not even a question for anybody in the locker room,” center Marc Gasol said on Sunday.
“It’s just gonna be more opportunity for (LeBron James) and obviously we need more guys to step up,” head coach Frank Vogel said. “Not one other guy, but everybody. It’s gotta be a group effort. We need contributions from everyone, and we did have a stretch like this where we played without AD that we’ll draw on to take us into Game 5 if AD’s not available.”
As Jovan Buha of The Athletic writes, the Lakers had a winning record (19-17) without Davis this season, including an 11-7 mark in games that James played and Davis didn’t. The club may have also discovered an effective Davis-less lineup in Game 4, as LeBron, Gasol, Wesley Matthews, Alex Caruso, and Dennis Schröder were a plus-six in seven minutes. All five of those players can make outside shots and are solid defenders, Buha observes.
Here’s more on the Lakers:
- James is prepared to shoulder a heavier workload and more responsibilities if the team is missing Davis for the next game or two, as Mark Medina of USA Today relays. “These shoulders were built for a reason,” LeBron said on Sunday. “If it takes for me to put some more on top of it, then so be it. Win, lose or draw. I’m ready for the challenge.”
- Rival executives expect the Lakers to shake up their roster a little if they don’t make it past the first round of the playoffs, says Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report. Dennis Schröder will be perhaps the most important free agent worth monitoring — L.A. probably can’t afford to lose him for nothing, so re-signing him or working out a sign-and-trade will be a priority.
- Within the same Bleacher Report story, Fischer cites sources who say that the Lakers discussed potential Kyle Kuzma trades with teams at the deadline in March. Prior to Spencer Dinwiddie‘s ACL injury, Los Angeles inquired about a swap involving the Nets guard and Kuzma, according to Fischer.
- There’s a sense among Lakers officials that Alex Caruso has enjoyed playing alongside LeBron and will be interested in re-signing with the team in free agency this summer, reports Fischer.
After resigning Caruso and Tucker, Lakers have no tax room to sign Schroeder and Harrell
Drummond is only worth $12 million per？
Raptors need Drummond?
Harrell has a player option, not Lakers call on him
And he knows that he’s not getting a better deal from anyone else, the Lakers are stuck with him. I remember before the season how excited all their fans were when they got Harrell. He has played a total of 18 minutes in 4 playoff games, the only reason he will play more in games 5 and 6 is because AD is injured. Poor Lakers.
Clown it’s called match ups not a series for harrell and he’s probably leaving for more money he will op out lol
The Lakers will not win another game in this series. It’s a wrap! Not enough offense without Anthony Davis. LeBron got his Laker title last year. No more titles will be coming his way. It’s a wrap. Great run. It’s now a wrap!
Very Barry who do you have coming out of the West?
Utah is coming out of the West.
Nope
Do you hate sandwiches? Wraps are healthy and all, but not that great.
Oh and AD hasn’t been playing so well in the payoff aside from Game 2. Without him the Lakers might be better off.
Agreed, wraps suck. The only thing that belongs in tortillas are burritos.
Or tacos, or quesadillas. But corn tortillas need to be deep fried. Hard taco.
Nothing wrong with enchiladas
Just go to Taco Bell if you need hard tacos.
Your taste in food is trash, like your taste in sports.
NBA just adding drama. Davis will miraculously come back strong and the Lakers will go all the way, buoyed by Silver and the refs.
It’s easy to win championships when you play 8 on 5 every night.
Too bad how Lakers fans can’t see the special treatment LA gets.
Free agents are the property of Knicks, Raptors, Spurs and Hornets?
Let’s say Lakers give 4 years $100 million to Schroeder and trade him
He is overpaid by $20 million
Which player can Lakers get to save tax?
Do Lakers want draft picks?
Shroder making the “Buha Five” (+6 in 7′) may be worth a 4/$88 in the offseason. Shroder, Caruso, Mathews, Gasol & LJ.
IT doesn’t hurt Caruso to be like a spontaneous & engaged 3, all around in the offense, as a result.
Caruso will have a big contract next year. He is the type of player LA will need to over pay to keep him. If Shroder signs somewhere else you can be assured LA will pay whatever it takes to keep Caruso.
Would think harrell slides in pretty seemlessly
Too bad he can’t play PF though, not with his lack of a 3-point shot.
If Suns put a hand in Gasol’s face and make him a priority of defense the Lakers might be screwed because his made shots are mostly wide open with defenders slacking off on him. They then would need the shooters to return to bubble type efficiency. Kuzma and Dennis also have to have huge games. A lot of best case scenario stuff needs to happen all at once but stranger things have happened.
Lakers would have been better off keeping Rondo over KCP.
Half the price for less years too.
Alex Caruso should’ve been the starting PG, all year.
Schroder, KCP, Kuzma, Harrell, Drummond should have been their 2nd unit.
Caruso plays better with Lebron.
Pelinka needs to tell Rich Paul no, when he asks for a KCP extension.