Injury Report: Lakers at Cavaliers
The Lakers travel again on the road tonight to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are off to a 4-0 start this season.
Both teams are dealing with some notable injuries tonight, as the Lakers will be without three players and have listed two others as game-time decisions, while the Cavaliers ruled three players out.
Lakers two-way player Christian Koloko has been cleared to join the team in full.
His return-to-play progression will start with the South Bay Lakers.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 30, 2024
Lakers Injury Report
G Austin Reaves (ACTIVE / Thigh)
While star shooting guard Austin Reaves is dealing with a left thigh contusion, he is expected to play against the Cavaliers. He has taken a critical step forward this season, averaging 19.3 ppg.
G D’Angelo Russell (Active / Back)
Point guard D’Angelo Russell, who has been dealing with lower back soreness over the past couple of days, will play. He will continue to be a key member of the starting five.
F LeBron James (ACTIVE / Illness)
Despite the illness, LeBron James will be active against his former team. Bronny James is expected to play tonight, setting up their second game on the floor as a father-son duo.
F Jarred Vanderbilt (OUT / Foot)
Jarred Vanderbilt will continue to be among the Lakers’ inactives as he recovers from offseason foot surgery. The Lakers are expected to miss his defensive versatility until mid-November.
F Christian Wood (OUT / Knee)
Christian Wood, much like Vanderbilt, is also out due to offseason knee surgery. The Lakers’ big man rotation will continue to suffer until he comes back in mid-late November.
C Christian Koloko (OUT / Reconditioning)
A big storyline yesterday was Christian Koloko being medically cleared to play this season after suffering blood clot issues last year. He will miss tonight’s game, as he recently began practicing again and still needs to ramp up his conditioning.
Cavaliers Injury Report
F Max Strus (OUT / Ankle)
The Lakers catch a break with Max Strus being out at least five more weeks with a right ankle injury sprain. After signing a four-year $63 million deal with Cleveland last season, Strus had a career year in which he averaged 12/4/5. Dean Wade is expected to start in his absence.
G Craig Porter Jr. (OUT / Thumb)
After missing Monday’s game against the Knicks with a sprained thumb, guard Craig Porter Jr. will also be out tonight. Signed as an undrafted free agent, Porter Jr. averaged five points off the bench for Cleveland last season.
F Emoni Bates (OUT / Meniscus)
Wing Emoni Bates will miss tonight’s game as he is still recovering from a torn meniscus in his right knee. Bates was the team’s 49th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft.
