The Lakers and Trail Blazers are back on the schedule for a second meeting this season, and the injury report is where the real story starts. Portland already owns the first result, a 136-129 road win powered by Ja Morant, but this one comes with both teams in a much different place.
For the Lakers, the biggest update is that Cameron Carr and Bronny James have both been ruled out after being assigned to the G League. Walker Kessler, dealing with a left finger splint, is available as expected. The one name that stands out is Sandro Mamukelashvili, who is questionable because of an illness.
That’s still a far better spot than the Lakers were in earlier this season. At different points, they had to manage injuries to Carr and Kessler, and they also went through a stretch without Collin Sexton and Ziaire Williams, two role players who have been important to their success.
Now, nearly everyone in the rotation is set to go, with Mamu the lone game-time decision. The source doesn’t give an exact diagnosis, but the issue sounds like a flu or virus that should clear up quickly.
Even so, his status matters for depth. He’s averaging 9.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% this season.
Kessler’s availability is also a plus after he recently hit his hand on the backboard. It was described as a relatively minor injury, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing him down. He has not missed a game this season, and he was strong on Wednesday in a 116-103 win over the Kings, finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and four blocks.
Portland, meanwhile, is still dealing with the same kind of short-handed setup it has carried for much of the season. Even with a 6-1 record and the top spot in the Western Conference, the Trail Blazers remain without several key pieces, including a starter.
Ja Morant is out with a left hamstring strain, while Shaedon Sharpe is sidelined by a right meniscus tear. John Tonje, who is in the G League, and Vit Krejci, who has a left ankle fracture, are also unavailable.
The Blazers have managed to keep rolling thanks to their backcourt depth, which has helped them absorb the losses of Morant and Sharpe. But this matchup brings a different level of difficulty. The Lakers are the league’s highest-scoring team right now, and they’ll be looking to answer for what happened in the first meeting.
There’s plenty riding on the result, too. The winner will move into first place in the standings, which gives this one real weight beyond just another regular-season game. Add in the setting at Crypto.com Arena, and the stage is set for a tense night.
In Other News...
Damian Lillard Had Every Reason To Explode Over Dillon Brooks
Dillon Brooks managed to turn a routine stoppage into one of those moments that instantly grabs everyones attention. During a game, the Phoenix Suns wing appeared to try to step on Damian Lillards Achilles after a whistle, and Lillard reacted immediately by confronting him before referees and coaches stepped in to keep it from getting any worse. Lillard was not injured, but the sequence still had the kind of edge that can linger long after the possession is over.
For Portland fans, it was another reminder of how quickly things can get heated when Lillard is involved in a physical matchup. He has always carried himself with a calm, steady presence, so when he goes straight at an opponent like that, it says plenty about how serious the moment felt. The incident ended without further escalation, but it left plenty of room for questions about what Brooks was trying to do and how the league will view the exchange. [Read more 🡒]
Blazers Backcourt Takes Another Hit After Vt Krej Scare
Vt Krejs night ended in a hurry late in the third quarter against the Suns, and the sight of him leaving the arena on crutches with a protective boot only deepened the concern around Portlands backcourt. The Trail Blazers were already dealing with multiple injuries in that area, so another setback there is the last thing they needed as the season moves along.
The immediate issue now is the uncertainty around how long Krej will be out, with the team still waiting to learn more about the fracture to his lower left leg or ankle and whether surgery will be part of the recovery plan. For a Blazers group trying to piece together guard minutes on the fly, even a short absence would be a problem, and this one could linger well beyond that. [Read more 🡒]
Dillon Brooks Is Giving Suns Fans The Wrong Kind Of Headlines
Dillon Brooks managed to turn a regular-season meeting with Portland into the kind of night that lingers long after the final buzzer. After a whistle, he kicked the back of Damian Lillards left leg, setting off a brief confrontation between the two before Lillard answered the moment the old-fashioned way, by getting back to work and finishing at the rim with Brooks in the picture.
The Blazers walked away with a 132-119 win, and Lillards 25 points helped make sure the on-court response mattered more than the post-whistle heat. Brooks still finished with 15 points for Phoenix, but the bigger takeaway for Portland was how quickly the game tilted from irritation to control, with Lillard making sure the last memorable play belonged to him. [Read more 🡒]