After claiming the inaugural NBA Cup on Saturday, the Los Angeles Lakers will return to standard regular-season play on Tuesday by starting a three-game road trip. This road trip will take place entirely within the state of Texas, and it begins with a contest against the Dallas Mavericks, who defeated them, 104-101, on Nov. 22.
Playing Dallas means containing Luka Doncic, who is averaging 32 points, 8.5 assists and 8.3 rebounds a game while shooting 38.8 % from 3-point range this season. Last season, the Lakers’ answer to him was forward Jarred Vanderbilt, but Vanderbilt is listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game due to a back ailment.
Anthony Davis and Jared Vanderbilt join LeBron James on the “questionable” list for Tuesday’s game in Dallas. No Jalen Hood-Schifino pic.twitter.com/WwehowF7m6
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) December 12, 2023
In a late February game versus Dallas last season, Vanderbilt contained Doncic very well while forcing him to commit six turnovers. The Lakers forward also had 17 rebounds, 15 points, four assists and three blocked shots. He was the X-factor in a come-from-behind 111-108 win.
He recently returned from a case of heel bursitis that had sidelined him since early in the preseason.
If he is unable to play on Tuesday, Taurean Prince and Cam Reddish will need to put the clamps on the Slovenian superstar.