LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles Lakers go rest their key players for their last regular season match against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, April 13.
After a strong win against the Houston Rockets on Friday, head coach JJ Redick decide to sit out star player LeBron James, along with Luka Dončić, Dorian Finney-Smith, Rui Hachimura, Maxi Kleber, and Austin Reaves due to various injuries. This decision comes as the Lakers don already clinch the third seed in the Western Conference.
“We don’t need to risk any injury at this point,” Coach Redick talk about his decision to rest key players. “We ready for playoffs, and dem boys need to recover.”
On the other hand, the Blazers, wey no get any playoff hope too, go miss several of their own stars like Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant, and Scoot Henderson. They dey plan to also rest players to focus on the upcoming draft.
Despite the game having no real impact on either team standings, fans fit expect to see young talents like Bronny James and Dalton Knecht represent the Lakers. The Lakers, wey record now na 50-31, go use this opportunity to give younger players more playing time.
“We few excited to see the fresh faces take the court,” one fan from Los Angeles, Chima Igwe, share. “Na good chance for dem to show wetin dem fit do.”
This match go take place at Moda Center in Portland, start by 12:30 PM PDT. Although the playoffs dey around the corner, this game give the Lakers an extended rest period before the postseason.
For the Blazers, losing fit help dem secure better draft picks, so fans no go mind if their squad rest players to focus on future prospects. As the teams prepare for the match, all eyes go be on the up-and-coming players.
“We just hope say dem young boys fit impress us for the game, win or lose,” another Blazers fan, Tiana Nwosu, express. “Na the future we dey build for.”
The Lakers dey show promise after their solid season while na high time for the Blazers to rethink their strategies as they look towards next season. Sunday’s game fit provide exciting moments as both teams showcase their younger talent amid a backdrop of resting key players.
