Los Angeles Lakers All-Stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis have had their statuses updated (slightly) ahead of their game tomorrow against the hottest team in the East, the New York Knicks, who are currently on a nine-game winning streak. Davis missed a thrilling 114-105 primetime road upset against the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Davis and James are now only “questionable” to play, which is a significant improvement over “out” or “doubtful” in the hierarchy of injury designations. The Lakers have split their last two LA games, 1-1, with Davis sidelined due to a bilateral Achilles tendinopathy and a left hip spasm.
James has had peroneal tendinopathy in his left ankle for some time.
The three players who are still sidelined are point guard Gabe Vincent, power forward Jarred Vanderbilt, small forward Cam Reddish (a recent Knick), and sore right foot and left knee effusion surgical recuperation. Whoever represents Los Angeles against New York tomorrow is going to have a difficult task ahead of them!
How do knicks prepare against Lebron James and co. ?
The 32–17 Knicks are only half a game behind the 32–16 Milwaukee Bucks, who have lost both of their games since former Knicks point guard Doc Rivers took over as head coach. The Knicks have sneaked into the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
After obtaining power forward/center Precious Achiuwa and swingman OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors, New York has amassed an incredible 15-3 record (15-2 since both players have been activated) and developed into a tough, grittier defensive team that closely resembles head coach Tom Thibodeau’s favorite lineups.
With an offensive rating of 119.0 and a defensive rating of 112.7, the Knicks are eighth in the league. Championship-caliber teams usually want to be in the top 10 in both of those categories; however, the Lakers, who won the 2019–20 NBA championship, did not place in the top 10 offensively.