After battling their way through the NBA Play-In Tournament, the Los Angeles Lakers have secured their entry into the playoffs. The Lakers will be entering the playoffs with both LeBron James and Anthony Davis available without any restrictions. This is a significant boost for the team considering the injuries that have plagued both players throughout much of the regular season.
Longest Streak of Games Played Together
James and Davis played in their longest streak of games together during the regular season since January 2021. However, both players have been sidelined for long segments of the season due to injuries. Despite this, head coach Darvin Ham has confirmed that James and Davis won’t have any restrictions heading into the playoffs.
Five-Day Break Between Final Regular Season Game and Playoff Opener
The Lakers benefited from a five-day break between their final regular-season game and playoff opener, allowing James and Davis time to get healthy. Davis has been nursing a foot injury since December but has stated that he is feeling healthy. Unfortunately, James may require foot surgery after the playoffs.
Lakers’ Outlook and Preparation for Playoffs
The Lakers are not worried about their seeding as they believe it’s all about matchups. The Grizzlies are ranked third in defensive rating this season with Jaren Jackson Jr. playing a large part in that. But despite being slight underdogs to win the series against them, Anthony Davis is confident in the team’s plan to combat this challenge.
No Restriction on Workload for James and Davis
James historically carries one of the greatest burdens in postseason history, averaging 41.5 minutes per game. His workload was slightly limited by Frank Vogel during his first two postseason runs as a Laker. However, Ham has had no misgivings about leaning on his stars to carry most of the workload during a game. With Davis injured, James averaged 23.9 field goal attempts per game.
The Lakers will have both James and Davis available at the start of the postseason, but every game is a must-win. The same level of urgency applies to each game. Ham knows this and will treat James and Davis accordingly.
Future of the Lakers
The Lakers have won 10 of their last 12 games, and they went 2-1 against the Grizzlies during the regular season. With their star players back and healthy, the Lakers are looking to make a deep run in the playoffs.
In conclusion, with both LeBron James and Anthony Davis ready to give their best for the playoffs, opponents of the LA Lakers have every reason to worry. However, while the Lakers may be one of the most talented teams in the league, they will need to bring their A-game if they want to succeed in the playoffs. Only time will tell if they will rise to the occasion and clinch another NBA championship.
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