Lakers Return Home for NBA Cup Clash Amid Injury Updates
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The Los Angeles Lakers are back at home following a successful two-game road trip, where they went undefeated, highlighted by rookie Dalton Knecht’s career-high performance against the New Orleans Pelicans. However, as they gear up for an NBA Cup game against the Utah Jazz, the team faces some injury concerns.
Bronny James has been listed as doubtful due to a left heel contusion, a surprising update given his recent participation in a South Bay Lakers G League game on Sunday evening.
In addition to Bronny, Anthony Davis and Rui Hachimura have also appeared on the injury report. Davis is listed as probable as he continues to manage plantar fasciitis, while Hachimura is questionable with a left ankle sprain that sidelined him during the road trip.
The Lakers are still without Jaxson Hayes, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Christian Wood. Both Vanderbilt and Wood have yet to make their season debuts, while Hayes is out for one to two weeks with an ankle injury. Hood-Schifino did not play in South Bay’s Sunday game.
Lakers’ Plan for Bronny James
The Lakers have laid out a clear development path for Bronny James, focusing on G League reps with South Bay. Interestingly, the plan involves him only suiting up for South Bay’s home games, while traveling with the Lakers when the G League team is on the road.
In his second G League appearance on Sunday, Bronny logged four points, two rebounds, two assists, and one block in 25 minutes. Despite shooting 2-for-10 from the field, his court awareness and movement have shown promising signs of NBA potential.
South Bay’s next home game is on Nov. 24 against the Stockton Kings, with updates on Bronny’s availability expected closer to game day. While his stats may not jump off the page, his development as a potential rotation player continues to show encouraging progress.
