The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a virtual must-win Game 6 on Friday evening against the Memphis Grizzlies. They can advance to the next round with a victory.
They do not want to go back to Tennessee for a Game 7, where they would have to deal with the Grizzlies, who have the NBA’s best home record during the regular season, 35-6.
The Lakers failed to put the Grizzlies away on the road in Game 5, and one reason was the fact that reserve guard Luke Kennard sparked the Grizzlies by hitting 2-of-3 from 3-point range in 18 minutes off the bench.
But he suffered a left shoulder injury in that contest, and he will miss Friday’s game.
Memphis Grizzlies say Luke Kennard (shoulder) is out tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 29, 2023
Kennard led the league in 3-point accuracy during the regular season at 49.4%, and he has hurt the Lakers in this series by making eight of his 16 attempts from that distance.
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