Today's one of the most entertaining days in the NBA, but the sparks won't stop once the trade deadline comes and goes. The Denver Nuggets and Lakers will square off in Los Angeles on Thursday night for what should be a great game between the remaining two teams in the West last season.
Los Angeles is on a three-game win streak, including victories over Boston and New York. Their win over the Celtics came without LeBron James and Anthony Davis, whose statuses' are uncertain for the matchup against the Nuggets.
Denver has won four of its last five games, with the team's lone loss coming against Oklahoma City without Nikola Jokic.
Unlike the Lakers, the Nuggets are one of the top teams in the West. Denver is 1-0 against LA this season, with that game taking place on Opening Night during the Nuggets' championship ring ceremony. Tonight in LA, the Lakers will unveil a Kobe Bryant statue before tip-off. Maybe that will give LeBron and Co. some extra fuel, but hopefully not.
LeBron James' status for tonight's game vs. Nuggets
LeBron James (ankle) is listed as questionable.
UPDATE: LeBron James is available.
Anthony Davis' status for tonight's game vs. Nuggets
Anthony Davis (hip/Achilles) is listed as questionable.
UPDATE: Anthony Davis is available.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's status for tonight's game vs. Lakers
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (hamstring) is listed as questionable. He suffered the injury on Sunday against Portland.
UPDATE: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is out.
Nuggets injury report
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (hamstring) is questionable. Vlatko Cancar (knee) is out.
UPDATE: Kentavious-Caldwell Pope is out.
Lakers injury report
LeBron James (ankle) and Anthony Davis (hip/Achilles) are questionable. Jarred Vanderbilt (foot), Cam Reddish (ankle), and Gabe Vincent (knee) are out.
UPDATE: LeBron James and Anthony Davis are available.
Projected starting lineups tonight
Denver: Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (if he plays), Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic
Los Angeles: D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Anthony Davis
Denver's next five opponents
The Nuggets will stay on the road for two more games before returning to Ball Arena.
Feb. 9 at Sacramento
Feb. 12 at Milwaukee
Feb. 14 vs. Sacramento
Feb. 22 vs. Washington
Feb. 23 at Portland