After the long All-Star break, the Los Angeles Lakers will return to action on Thursday when they travel north to take on the Golden State Warriors.
They have been on something of a roll lately. They’re on a three-game winning streak and have claimed six of their last seven contests and 11 of their last 16, a spurt that has put them four games over .500.
But that momentum still seems fragile, and L.A. will need to keep winning games in bunches in order to have any real shot at making the playoffs.
Unfortunately, it will be short-handed on Thursday. Both LeBron James and backup big man Christian Wood will sit out the contest against Stephen Curry and crew.
LeBron James is out Thursday vs. GSW, per the Lakers. Max Christie and Cam Reddish are questionable pic.twitter.com/pui4IYKJlg
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 22, 2024
James said recently that he could end up missing Thursday’s game since he sought treatment for an ankle ailment prior to the All-Star game.
The good news for the Lakers is that both Max Christie and Cam Reddish are listed as questionable after missing several games each. Christie, in particular, has shown promise lately as a tenacious defender and improving perimeter shooter.
Golden State will not be an easy opponent for the Lakers. It has won eight of its last 10 games, and some are now believing in its potential as a dark-horse contender in the Western Conference.