Los Angeles Lakers go face Indiana Pacers for Wednesday night match with plenty injury wahala wey dey affect their team. Deandre Ayton, wey be their veteran center, don finally dey rule out for the game because of back soreness. This na the tenth time wey Ayton go miss match since he join Lakers this season.
Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura join Ayton for injury list as dem no go play for the match wey go hold for Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Smart dey manage right ankle contusion while Hachimura get right calf soreness. Rookie Adou Thiero sef dey questionable with left knee problem. All these injuries mean say Lakers go dey shorthanded for this last game of their six-game road trip.
Lakers coach JJ Redick go need to adjust his lineup well well. Jaxson Hayes go likely take Ayton place for frontcourt, while Jake LaRavia and Luke Kennard go get more playing time. Lakers just lose to Detroit Pistons on Monday wey end their nine-game winning streak, so dem need to bounce back quick quick.
For Pacers side, dem get their own injury issues but better pass Lakers own. Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin all dey probable for the match. But Tyrese Haliburton, Ivica Zubac and Johnny Furphy don already dey rule out for the rest of the season.
Pacers just win Orlando Magic on Monday to end 16-game losing streak. Siakam show say he dey ready as he score 37 points for that match. But Pacers record this season no too good – dem dey 16-56 as at Wednesday.
Lakers star Luka Doncic dey in top form recently. For Monday loss to Pistons, he score 32 points with 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Austin Reaves add 24 points. But without Ayton, Smart and Hachimura, Doncic go need to carry more load for this Pacers match.
Ayton don play 63 games this season with average of 12.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Hachimura average 11.1 points while Smart add 9.5 points per game. Their absence go affect Lakers for both offense and defense.
This match na trap game for Lakers because Pacers no dey good team this season, but dem be Eastern Conference champions last season. Lakers no fit take dem for granted, especially with all these injuries.
After this Pacers match, Lakers go return to Los Angeles for three-game homestand. Dem go face Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards – two of the worst teams for Eastern Conference – before meeting Cleveland Cavaliers on March 31.
Lakers dey currently number 3 for Western Conference standings behind San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. Their main target na to maintain this position as NBA playoffs go start April 18.
Ayton join Lakers in July 2025 with two-year contract worth $16.6 million. He begin his NBA career with Phoenix Suns after dem pick am as number 1 overall for 2018 NBA Draft. He play for Portland Trail Blazers before come join Lakers.
For Pacers side, dem just dey try finish the season strong after poor performance. Their fans dey hope say dem fit use this Lakers match show small improvement before season end.
Match go start 7:00 p.m. ET for Indianapolis. Fans fit watch am live as Lakers try to overcome injury challenges while Pacers dey find second straight win after long losing streak.
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