In a bid to secure their position in one of the last play-in berths in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up to face the Atlanta Hawks at home on Monday, albeit without their top two players.
Lakers’ forward Anthony Davis is questionable for Monday’s game due to a corneal abrasion that forced him out of Saturday’s defeat against the Golden State Warriors after just one quarter. Meanwhile, LeBron James, who has been consistently featured on the injury list recently due to ankle soreness, remains questionable.
The Lakers had been enjoying a positive spell post All-Star break, with Davis expressing confidence in the team’s abilities. However, their momentum has waned with back-to-back losses, exacerbated by Davis’ absence during Saturday’s game against the Warriors.
Following Davis’ exit, the Lakers struggled to maintain their equilibrium, ultimately succumbing to a defeat. James acknowledged the impact of Davis’ absence, emphasizing the disruption it causes to the team’s dynamics.
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Despite the setback, the Lakers remain in the ninth spot in the Western Conference standings, holding onto the final play-in tournament position.
On the other side, the Hawks, who are also vying for a play-in berth in the Eastern Conference, have been grappling with injury concerns of their own. Nevertheless, they bolstered their postseason aspirations with a convincing victory over the Clippers, despite Trae Young’s prolonged absence due to finger surgery.
Hawks’ head coach Quin Snyder praised his team’s defensive efforts and collective offensive approach following their recent win. Despite missing key players, the Hawks have maintained a commendable record, with Dejounte Murray and De’Andre Hunter stepping up in Young’s absence.
Looking ahead, the Hawks aim to capitalize on their recent form with a favorable homestand looming after their encounters with the Lakers and the Phoenix Suns.
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