Lakers Face Uphill Battle Against Celtics as LeBron James and Anthony Davis Sit Out

In a setback for the struggling Los Angeles Lakers, both LeBron James and Anthony Davis will be sidelined when they take on the NBA’s top-ranked team, the Boston Celtics, on Thursday.

The Lakers officially ruled out both star players approximately five hours before tipoff, downgrading them from questionable status. James is nursing soreness in his left ankle, while Davis is contending with bilateral Achilles tendinopathy and left hip spasms, the latter causing him to miss their recent loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Despite participating in Thursday’s shootaround with hopes of improvement throughout the day, both players were deemed unfit to play, dealing a blow to the Lakers’ chances against the formidable Celtics.

Davis expressed a slight improvement in his hip condition, stating, “I feel a little better,” after the shootaround.

In light of the grind of their intense schedule, including three games in four nights and LeBron’s 21st season workload, the decision was made to prioritize rest for James. This marks the first game of the season where the Lakers will be without both James and Davis, posing a significant challenge for the team.

Currently holding a 1-2 record on their ongoing six-game road trip, the Lakers face an even tougher test against the Celtics, who boast the league’s best home record at an impressive 22-2. The absence of their star duo raises questions about the Lakers’ ability to secure a victory in the face of such adversity.