The Los Angeles Lakers have struggled a bit over the last couple of weeks. They have won only half of their last eight games, and with a 19-8 record, they have slipped to fourth place in the Western Conference.
One reason for this mini-skid has been injuries. In recent days, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Deandre Ayton, Rui Hachimura and Luka Doncic have all suffered injuries. Reaves, Vincent, Ayton and Hachimura all sat out Saturday’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, while Doncic suffered a leg contusion during the game and didn’t play in the second half.
For the Lakers’ contest on Tuesday versus the Phoenix Suns, the good news is that Ayton will play and Reaves is listed as questionable. But Doncic, Hachimura and Vincent will sit out.
Los Angeles has had trouble with the Suns this season. On Dec. 1, the Suns trounced it 125-108 at Crypto.com Arena, and on Dec. 14, L.A. built a large fourth-quarter lead, only to lose it and barely win by two points.
Phoenix is 15-13 and has lost six of its last nine games, but it is a team the Purple and Gold needs to take very seriously.