With the Los Angeles Lakers’ play-in tournament win over the Golden State Warriors, which drew the highest ratings on ESPN since 2019, officially in the books, the next task for LA is a first-round matchup against the Phoenix Suns.
The Lakers’ season has been mired in injuries and setbacks because of health and safety protocols. Leg injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis epitomized the struggles Los Angeles faced.
Prior to Davis’ injury in mid-February, the Lakers sat near the top of the vaunted Western Conference with a 21-7 record, appearing on their way to be in a good position to repeat as NBA champions.
As the injuries piled up, the Lakers began descending in the standings, putting them in a precarious position. Since they defeated Golden State after an incredible 3-pointer from LeBron James, they’ll start the playoffs as the seventh seed.
Their opponent is the second-seeded Phoenix Suns, who ended a 10-season playoff drought that began in 2010.
After acquiring Chris Paul via trade and signing gritty veterans, such as Jae Crowder in free agency, the Suns found the talent boost they needed to accompany their young stars in Devin Booker, Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges.
This matchup is the first time James and Paul are encountering one another in the playoffs. They’ve spent a combined 34 seasons in the league but never dueled on the big stage.
The full schedule for the highly anticipated showdown is now live, with the first game slated for Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on ABC.
OFFICIAL: #LakeShow playoffs begin this Sunday. pic.twitter.com/8GaCORYVcq
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 20, 2021
Since the Lakers are the seventh seed, they’ll be on the road for the first two games. They’ll return home for games 3 and 4; ABC will air Game 4. Games 2 and 3 will be available on local channels for both teams.
If the series extends past four games, the times of additional games will be provided.
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