The Lakers are reportedly facing a crisis with a current record of 45 wins and 35 losses, ranking 10th in the Western Conference. Despite tying with the Warriors and Kings, their poor performance against these two teams (with only 1 win out of 7 games) leaves them trailing behind. Even in the extreme scenario where the Suns lose all their remaining games, including against the Lakers, the Lakers would still rank last among the four teams due to their sub-50% win rate against each other. The team has announced Anthony Davis’ return, indicating a significant boost, with LeBron James also showing signs of improvement. Despite James’ uncertain playing status due to Achilles tendonitis, the absence of key players like Morant, Bane, and Jackson for the Grizzlies gives the Lakers a favorable edge in their upcoming match.
In the upcoming game against the Grizzlies, the Lakers need to focus solely on securing a win before considering other matters. The team has confirmed that Anthony Davis is likely to play despite a lingering eye injury. LeBron James’ health has also improved, although his participation remains uncertain due to Achilles tendonitis. However, given the Grizzlies’ injury-ridden lineup, victory for the Lakers seems almost assured.
Looking ahead, the Lakers’ strategy for their remaining two regular-season games remains undecided. Despite their precarious situation, there’s still a chance for them to make it to the Western Conference’s top 8. According to Lakers beat reporters, for the Lakers to secure the 8th spot, two or more of the following scenarios must occur (assuming the Lakers defeat both the Grizzlies and the Pelicans): the Suns lose consecutively to the Kings and Timberwolves, the Kings lose to the Suns or the Trail Blazers, and the Warriors fall to the Pelicans or the Jazz.
Realistically, the Lakers’ hopes rest on the Suns losing to the Kings and Timberwolves while the Warriors lose to the Pelicans. However, it’s unlikely given that both teams have started resting key players. Nevertheless, if the Suns defeat the Kings, the Lakers would need the Warriors to lose to the Pelicans to surpass both teams in the standings. The Lakers must hope for a scenario where the Pelicans defeat the Warriors, or alternatively, they could hope for the Suns to lose to the Timberwolves. Regardless, the Lakers’ fate ultimately depends on the outcome of these games.
Despite the uncertainties, the Lakers must focus on the present. Dwelling on injuries or hypotheticals serves no purpose. As LeBron James would say, speculation is meaningless. The Lakers have faced challenges such as James’ flu and Davis’ eye injury, but what matters now is their current situation. With no room for retreat, the Lakers must embrace desperation and let time reveal their fate.
