The Los Angeles Lakers will play without star Luka Doncic on Monday due to a one-game suspension, but one thing will serve as an extra motivator.
Los Angeles clinches the Pacific Division title and playoff berth with a win over the Washington Wizards on Monday, and if the Phoenix Suns fall to the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers sit at No. 3 in the Western Conference at the moment at 48-26.
Phoenix is seven games back of the Lakers in the Pacific Division at 41-33, and the Suns’ 125-123 loss to the Denver Nuggets on March 25 helped the Lakers. Los Angeles has won the past two games against the Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets, and the Lakers had a nine-game winning streak before a March 23 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
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Washington (17-57) has struggled all season, so the Lakers could grab a win at home to take care of the part they can control. While the Suns beat the Grizzlies the last time they met Jan. 7, Phoenix had a six-game losing streak in the overall series against Memphis, which went back to the 2023-2024 season.
Phoenix beat the Utah Jazz 134-109 the last time out on March 28, but the Suns have been struggling overall as of late. The Suns had a five-game losing streak in March before winning two of the past three games.
If the Lakers win the division on Monday night at the Staples Center, it will be the team’s first division crown since the 2019-2020 season. That Lakers squad also won the NBA title in the bubble tournament during COVID.
With Doncic suspended due to his 16th technical foul of the season against the Nets, Austin Reaves will be asked to step up against the Wizards. Jake LaRavia and Luke Kennard could also see additional playing time on Monday.
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