Injury Report: Lakers vs Mavericks
The Lakers wrap up their ‘Texas two-step’ (as Billy McDonald and Stu Lantz like to call it) road trip tonight against the Dallas Mavericks. Los Angeles is coming off of a tough loss against Houston and will be looking to get back on track tonight.
If you looked at this game prior to the season, you would’ve imagined a clash of stars battling in a tightly contested matchup. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The Mavericks will be without their two best players tonight, as well as one of their best role players.
If the Lakers can not figure out how to win this game tonight, it might take more than just going back to the drawing board.
Lakers Injury Report
Anthony Davis (Probable – Left plantar fasciitis)
Davis will continue to fight through the lingering plantar fasciitis that’s plagued him since the offseason. This is not the first occasion he’s played through injury this season, either. Davis has battled through this plantar fasciitis, an eye injury, a shoulder injury, and now an elbow.
With each passing day, the narrative about him being made of glass sounds sillier and sillier.
LeBron James (Probable – Left foot injury management)
Tonight, LeBron James is active despite the management of soreness in his left foot. Since returning from his week-long hiatus from the team, the King has been back to his old self. Since returning, LeBron has averaged 27/8/7.
LeBron since coming back from his hiatus in December:
– 27.4 PPG
– 8.1 APG
– 55/45/80 splits
– 63% true shootingThe Lakers are 7-2 over that stretch 😳 pic.twitter.com/StQPwU0RK7
— The Lead (@TheLeadSM) January 5, 2025
Cam Reddish (Out – low back soreness)
Reddish is questionable and has some soreness; however, this should not keep the defensive wing out long.
Gabe Vincent (Probable – left oblique strain)
Gabe Vincent has missed the last four games and is probable going into tonight. This is a good sign, as Vincent was just finding his groove since leaving Miami, specifically in his three-point shot before missing the last four games.
Jalen Hood Schifino (Out – Left hamstring strain)
JHS will miss another game with a hamstring injury.
Christian Wood (Out – Left knee surgery recovery)
Wood remains out indefinitely.
Jarred Vanderbilt (Out – Right foot surgery recovery)
Vanderbilt will still be out with his foot injury from this summer. Thankfully, JJ Redick recently gave the fans an optimistic update for a change regarding the high-energy wing.
Mavericks Injury Report
Luka Doncic (Out – left calf strain)
The lifeblood of the Mavericks’ organization will be out tonight, as he will be for quite a few more nights dealing with his recovery. He was set to be reevaluated a month after Christmas, but with footage coming up of him still limping recently, it may be longer.
Kyrie Irving (Out – Lumbar back strain)
The Mavericks would’ve had a much easier time staying afloat without Doncic, thanks to their second star, Kyrie Irving. Unfortunately just a matter of games after Doncic, Irving found himself injured as well.
Daniel Gafford (Out – Left ankle sprain)
The athletic big man whose play helped elevate this team to the NBA Finals will be out tonight after suffering a left ankle sprain against Memphis yesterday.
Dante Exum (Out – Right wrist surgery)
Exum, who went through surgery on Oct 9 for a wrist injury, has yet to play this season. Originally the plan was for him to be back in early January, but that is not the case. Thank goodness for the Lakers, that is the case because not only has Exum torched the Lakers in the past, but tonight would’ve been the perfect high-usage opportunity to do so.
