And the team’s postseason chances are officially in trouble.
Well, what we were worried about heading into today is now official: your Los Angeles Lakers will be without their three best scorers today, in what would have otherwise been a pretty winnable road game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, per the NBA’s latest injury report.
All hope is not lost, however.
That’s because the Thunder’s best player by far, All-Star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, has entered the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols, after he missed the last three contests due to an abdominal strain (a.k.a. OKC team president Sam Presti trying to soft-tank to close out the season).
Key power forward Kenrich Williams is also out with a left wrist sprain. These critical health statuses on the other end will give Los Angeles at least a fighting chance tonight, playing the second game of a back-to-back set.
In terms of long-term Thunder absences, 2022 No. 2 draft pick Chet Holmgren is essentially red-shirting the year following his right foot surgery. His semi-available understudy, Aleksej Pokusevski, will be on the shelf today as he continues to rehabilitate the non-displaced left tibilial fracture that has kept him absent since December.
For LA, two-way rookies Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cole Swider remain away from the team.
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