Injuries have been a major storyline throughout the NBA season, and sadly that has been no different now that the playoffs have started. There are numerous star players around the league missing playoff games due to injury and throwing major wrenches into several series.
Luckily the Nuggets have had a clean sheet since the playoffs started and they’ll be hoping to keep it that way as things go on. The Lakers had a few different role players out in game one, but it’s the status of the two superstars that has everyones attention.
Nobody actually thinks either LeBron or Anthony Davis will sit out game two, but we can’t take LeBron’s health for granted at his advanced age, and AD has been a walking injury waiting to happen for years. Hell, it looked like he was down for the count at least three different times just in game one.
So it’s still notable that these two are on the injury report at all, and it goes to show the fragility of the Lakers team. We’ll have to wait until game time for further confirmation and to know for sure what the Nuggets are up against.
The Lakers did also get some positive injury news over the weekend as it was announced that forward Christian Wood is set to return from his injury absence to play in game three. Wood is a flawed player but he can provide a nice scoring spark for the Lakers off the bench.
Lakers F/C Christian Wood is planning to return to action in Game 3 vs. the Denver Nuggets on Thursday in LA, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. A key boost to Lakers frontcourt. Wood, out since Feb. 14 due to knee injury, has averaged 7 points and 5.1 rebounds this season. pic.twitter.com/DknRfbwpfx
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 21, 2024
Nuggets injury report
The Nuggets injury report is a beautiful sight as the only player on the list is Vlatko Cancar, who is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery.
Lakers injury report
The Lakers are listing Anthony Davis (back) and LeBron James (ankle) as ‘Probable’. It’s not nothing, but barring a miracle, these two guys are going to suit up. Christian Wood (knee), Jarred Vanderbilt (foot), Cam Reddish (ankle), and Jalen Hood-Schifinoo (lumbar disc) are all ‘Out’ for game two.
Betting odds
The Nuggets have been installed as 7.5 point home favorites for game two and the game has a total of 223.5 points.