Will LeBron James & Anthony Davis Play Tonight? Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns: Prediction, Injuries, & Lineups

The year 2020-21 might go down as one of the most surprising years in league history. A Phoenix team that is going to participate in its first playoff in 10 seasons might just end up topping the WC. A Lakers squad playing as the defending champion might just barely make it to the postseason. It’s nothing the NBA pundits had predicted in December 2020. 

In the past 15 days, the Suns have won six of their seven meetings, winning over teams like the Knicks, Clippers, and Jazz. The Lakers, on the other hand, are collapsing like a castle made of cards. So what are the odds that the Lake Show can stare into the Suns without going blind?

Lakers vs Suns: Injury updates and lineup predictions

The list of injuries for the Lakers is both harrowing and worsening. Apart from Jared Dudley, Dennis Schroder will remain out because of health & safety protocols and may only come back for a potential play-in tournament. LeBron James (ankle), the heaviest name on the cards, is sitting out against the Suns as he might return either against the Knicks or the Rockets. The two new additions in the list are shooting guard Talen Horton-Tucker (calf) and center Marc Gasol (finger). 

Plus, to make things worse, Anthony Davis (back), Alex Caruso (foot), and Kyle Kuzma (thumb) are day-to-day decisions. Still, the hopes are high that these three names might show up.

Probable lineup – Alex Caruso (PG), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (SG), Ben McLemore (SF), AD/Markieff Morris (PF), and Andre Drummond (C)

The Suns, fortunately for the league, have been one of those rare teams with a clean injury list. Apart from forward Abdel Nader (indefinitely out), they only have Cameron Johnson as a day-to-day call.

Possible starting five – Chris Paul (PG), Devin Booker (SG), Mikal Bridges (SF), Torrey Craig (PF), and DeAndre Ayton (C)

Who wins?

The Lakers are 0-2 against the Suns in the regular season, and it seems that they might as well go 0-3.

Just in case both Marc Gasol and Horton-Tucker either miss the game or play limited minutes, the Lakers’ bench will look timid. Plus, given Kyle Kuzma’s dismal show against the Blazers and also his dwindling confidence, the starting five might further take a hit. The only point favoring the Lakers is Anthony Davis and his reinvented self. So if the star forward can pick where he left off against the Blazers, that can make some difference. But all-in-all, the Lakers’ offense is extremely weak and the Suns would love it.

The Suns are witnessing a crazy consistency from guard Devin Booker who is averaging 25+ points. His explosiveness makes up for the size that he lacks, and when matched with Chris Paul on the floor, he is just crazy. Then, they have a giant force in DeAndre to safeguard them with his long wingspan and a swift movement. Jae Crowder from the bench is another success story with an ability to score threes. 

It’s an easy guess, the Suns to beat the Lakers.

Read Also – Was Signing Andre Drummond The Right Decision For Los Angeles Lakers?

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