replica Phoenix Phoenix Suns #22 Deandre Ayton MenLeBron, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis all out for Lakers vs Warriors

Los Angeles Lakers v Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Western Conference Champs Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images

Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and Anthony Davis are all sitting out for the Lakers’ game against the Golden State Warriors, the team announced on Thursday morning.

With the Lakers eliminated from play-in game contention and all three players dealing with injuries, airing on the side of caution may be the best approach for the team over the final games of the season.

James has been dealing with a sprained ankle that has largely kept him sidelined for all but one game since he sufNBA Tank Topsfered the injury against the Pelicans on March 27. Russell Westbrook was listed as questionable heading into Thursday’s game with right shoulder soreness, a new designation on the injury report for a player who has previously only missed one game this s Phoenix Phoenix Suns #23 Cameron Johnson Youth 2021 NBA Finals Bound Statement Edition NBA Jersey Orange Youtheason.

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Westbrook’s best ability this season has been his availability. The one game missed was against Portland in early Feburary, a night the Lakers had both LeBron and Anthony Davis available. Still, the 78 games played by Westbrook is the most in a season for the guard since 2017-18 in Oklahoma City.

As for James, his absence from the lineup is far less surprising. After playing through injury on April 1 against the Pelicans, James hasn’t taken the court since. To most easily qualify for the scoring title he is firmly in the chase for statistically, James would need to play two more games for the Lakers this season, though a possibility exists of him just playing one more game and still winning. But based on him playing just once over the last six games, Thursday included, neither option feels particularly likely right now.

Like James, Davis’ lingering injury makes it a rather easy decision to sit him on Thursday. On Sunday, a very clearlNBA Accessoriesy hobbled Davis did all he could to keep the Lakers in the game against the Nuggets and while that was admirable and needed at the time, there’s no sense in continuing to do that with the season done and dusted. Sitting him the remainder of the season will allow him to head into the offseason injury-free for the first time since joining the Lakers as well.

It also wouldn’t be a surprise for the Lakers to also sit Anthony Davis, who was also listed as questionable coming into the game with his right foot sprain. With literally nothing to play for, the health of the Lakers superstars heading into the offseason should be priority No. 1.

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With James and Westbrook likely out on Thursday, expect a number of formerly-exiled Lakers to re-enter the rotation. Kent Bazemore, Wayne Ellington and Trevor Ariza all feel likely players to get minutes on Thursday while Stanley Johnson and Austin Reaves could likely see an increase as well.

For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, StitchLonzo Ball Jerseyser or Google Podcasts. You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.

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