The highly anticipated clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on Thursday will be devoid of two key stars from the Lakers’ lineup. Both LeBron James and Anthony Davis are ruled out due to ongoing injury concerns.
LeBron James, who has already sat out for five games this season, continues to grapple with an ankle ailment that has been bothering him since January 3rd. Despite participating in the last five Lakers’ games while nursing the injury, James will be absent for the sixth consecutive game during the third leg of the team’s road trip. On the other hand, Anthony Davis has been contending with a bilateral Achilles tendinopathy and a left hip spasm, forcing him to sit out the recent 138-122 defeat against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night.
In addition to the absence of the Lakers’ dynamic duo, Cam Reddish (right ankle sprain) and Gabe Vincent (left knee surgery) are also sidelined for Thursday night’s game. The Lakers, who dipped below a .500 record after the loss on Tuesday, are striving to reverse their fortunes. However, their task won’t be any easier against the Celtics, who currently hold the NBA’s best record at 36-11 and boast an impressive 8-2 record in their last ten games. The Lakers, struggling with a 7-17 away record, are facing challenges in rediscovering their form since clinching the In-Season Tournament championship.
In contrast, the Celtics have a relatively clean injury report for the nationally televised matchup on Thursday, with only Luke Kornet listed as doubtful. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. EST at TD Garden.