Lakers Rest Stars After Clinching No. 3 Seed: LeBron, Luka, and More Out as Playoff Push Begins
The Los Angeles Lakers will be heading into their regular season finale against the Portland Trail Blazers without several of their key players. LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dorian Finney-Smith have all been officially ruled out. In addition, Jaxson Hayes, Gabe Vincent, and Jarred Vanderbilt are listed as questionable, while Jordan Goodwin is probable. This wave of absences, however, is not unexpected.
After clinching the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference with a win over the Houston Rockets on Friday night, the Lakers have nothing left to play for in terms of standings. With the playoffs just around the corner, the organization is choosing rest and recovery over risking injuries in a meaningless game. Game 1 of their first-round playoff series is scheduled to take place at Crypto.com Arena next weekend, either Saturday or Sunday, giving the core rotation over a week to recharge.
LeBron James, who recently turned 40, appeared to tweak his groin during the victory against Houston. While the team isn’t concerned about a serious injury, having an extended rest period will certainly benefit the veteran superstar. The rest strategy highlights the team’s larger goal: making a serious push for the NBA title. A healthy and fresh squad will be vital if they’re to make a deep playoff run.
With the regular starters sidelined, the matchup against Portland offers a valuable opportunity for the bench and younger players to shine. Dalton Knecht, Shake Milton, Bronny James, Markieff Morris, and Alex Len are expected to see significant playing time. Their performances could be crucial if any depth is needed in the postseason.
Regardless of the result on Sunday, the Lakers have already secured a 50-win season, a benchmark set by head coach JJ Redick at the beginning of the year. While a win would be a nice bonus, the focus is firmly on playoff preparation. With the rest of the league’s regular season wrapping up on Saturday, the Lakers will finally find out who their first-round opponent will be, and the journey to a potential championship begins in earnest.
