In what will be their second game in a week, the Los Angeles Lakers will take on the Indiana Pacers, but this time, it’ll be at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. After dropping 26 points and 10 assists in a close 150-145 victory, LeBron James has been listed as questionable for the rematch due to a left ankle injury. And as the Lakers produced their franchise’s highest-scoring performance in 37 years, the player who contributed the most to it is questionable as well.

In that March 25 game, Anthony Davis had 36 points and 16 rebounds, but because of left knee hyperextension, he’s a game-time decision. After the home game against the Pacers, Davis logged in 52 minutes in a double overtime win over the Bucks, a game that LeBron sat out. But as the 20-time All-Star suited up for the following game against the Grizzlies – who are “lesser rivals” than the Bucks – he faced criticism. But he fired back.

“I would have tried to play yesterday if that was the case,” said LeBron. “I got to be smart with it. If I’m not healthy or close to being healthy, it’s not good for our ball club anyway. It’s not good for me.” He’s been dealing with this left ankle injury since January and is expected to play through it until the end of the season.

As for his statistics against the Pacers, he’s played the team from Indiana 65 times, with a 41-24 record, averaging 27.1 points and 6.6 assists per game. And as the Lakers take the court in Indianapolis, they will hope to build on their five-game winning streak. But even with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they have a pretty long list of injured players. Jalen Hood-Schifino (back), Gabe Vincent and Christian Wood (knee), Jarred Vanderbilt (foot), and Colin Castleton (wrist) have all been ruled out.

The Pacers, for their part, are fairly healthy except for Benedict Mathurin, who is ruled out. Indiana is coming off a defeat against the Chicago Bulls, so there’s no doubt that they will look to capitalize on the Lakers’ absence of players. They currently occupy 6th place in the East, with a record of 41-33. Los Angeles has a similar record – 41-32, but they are the 9th-seeded team in the West.

After a monumental comeback in their previous game against the Lakers, the Pacers fell just short. That could only mean they’re fired up that much more to take the fight to the Purple & Gold at home. Their home game record stands at 21-15, not to mention Tyrese Haliburton & Co. has the top-scoring offense in the league this season. But even with the injuries, there’s no doubt the Lakers will put on a brave front.

Injuries are spread far and wide, but the Lakers are starting to look like a team

By now, it is common knowledge that injuries affecting LeBron James have been a constant source of worry for himself and the team. They can’t risk overworking their best player, especially considering that the Purple & Gold originally planned to play LeBron less. After the Memphis victory, the 4x champion clarified his health and recovery stand.

AD is also somewhat in a similar situation, injury-wise. “The Brow” is an injury-addled player – the major reason for Davis missing the DPOY award all these years. But he is unquestionably one of the best defenders in the league. When he gets on the floor, the team instantly plays better. With the playoffs so close and their position precarious, Davis’ absence is not something LA is fond of.

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Vincent is another player who has been sidelined since December. But the good news is that he is responding excellently to workouts and practice, and the Lakers expect him to suit up when they go up against the Nets. Vando, on the other hand, is yet to be cleared for drills. Despite it all, what we have seen of LA of late is promising.

Even without AD (2-3) or LeBron (6-4) or both of them, the team has stepped up and come off victorious. After all, they are playing with the Larry O’Brien trophy in mind, a last hurray before what could potentially be Bron’s last season with the Lakers.

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