The Los Angeles Lakers have not gotten off to a great start this preseason as they are going into Sunday night’s contest against the Phoenix Suns at 0-3.
The Lakers have yet to have their full roster for any of those games though as both LeBron James and Russell Westbrook missed the first two games while Anthony Davis sat out the last one.
L.A. is again without some key pieces against the Suns as young guards Talen Horton-Tucker and Malik Monk were both ruled out due to a right thumb sprain and right groin strain, respectively.
Frank Vogel isn’t yet sure of the severity of Horton-Tucker’s injury while Monk is expected to miss about a week of action.
Regardless though, it’s not ideal as the Lakers will be relying on their two promising guards to help get them through the regular season and they are already dealing with ailments.
Both players have played well this preseason as Monk ranks second on the team in scoring at 12.7 points while shooting 51.7% from the field and 47.1% from behind the arc while Horton-Tucker is also averaging 12.7 points in addition to 3.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
LeBron James is also missing this game for the Lakers. He has only played in one preseason game so far but Vogel said he wants to play in the final two this upcoming week.
With only a little more than a week until Opening Night though, there’s no doubt that the Lakers can use some more time on the floor together. For James personally though, he said he gets more out of practices than preseason games, so he is still getting in his work even if he doesn’t suit up.
The Suns handed the Lakers one of their preseason losses last Wednesday, beating them 117-105 in an afternoon in Phoenix. Devin Booker sat out that game although likely is playing in this one.
Lakers (0-3) vs. Suns (2-1)
7:00 p.m. PT, Oct. 10, 2021
Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
TV: ESPN, Spectrum SportsNet
Radio: 710 AM ESPN LA
Projected Lakers Starting Lineup:
PG: Russell Westbrook
SG: Kent Bazemore
SF: Wayne Ellington
PF: Anthony Davis
C: DeAndre Jordan
Key Reserves: Kendrick Nunn, Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo, Austin Reaves
Projected Suns Starting Lineup:
PG: Chris Paul
SG: Devin Booker
SF: Mikal Bridges
PF: Jae Crowder
C: Deandre Ayton
Key Reserves: Cameron Johnson, Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet, Frank Kaminsky, Elfrid Payton, JaVale McGee
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