![\"Lakers](\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/fy4XczFYoykPUoIzS8U8ZXFtips=\/0x0:3816x3053\/1200x800\/filters:focal(1477x318:2087x928)\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_image\/image\/74009991\/2208347048.0.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Lakers were at full strength against the Thunder on Sunday and had one of their best wins of the season, dominating OKC in their home.<\/p>\n
With a rematch happening on Tuesday, it\u2019s likely the Lakers will be a shell of themselves. Not only is Rui Hachimura ruled out for the contest, but six players, including LeBron James, Luka Don\u010di\u0107 and Austin Reaves, are listed as questionable.<\/p>\n
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If the Lakers are without their entire starting lineup and their first player off the bench, Dorian Finney-Smith, they will probably get destroyed by the Thunder.<\/p>\n
Now, questionable doesn\u2019t mean out, but this is certainly in stark contrast to the injury report the Lakers had for Sunday\u2019s game against OKC, where only LeBron was listed as probable.<\/p>\n
With this being the last back-to-back of the season, they are potentially opting to concede the result and give their guys some rest.<\/p>\n
Lakers fans won\u2019t like that idea, given that the Western Conference race is far from over. However, playing games on consecutive days is tough, especially with many key Lakers dealing with injuries.<\/p>\n
Since returning to play after suffering his left patellar tendinopathy injury, Hachimura has yet to play in back-to-backs. He missed the games against the Pelicans, Bulls and now the Thunder due to this precaution.<\/p>\n
Hachimura himself has stated he is not 100% healthy and likely can\u2019t reach that level until the season ends.<\/p>\n
Since returning from his groin strain, LeBron has finally started to look like himself. His resting for one of these back-to-back games could be the last breather the NBA\u2019s oldest player gets this year.<\/p>\n
Luka and Austin are the relatively healthier players from the Lakers\u2019 core, but they\u2019ve dealt with their fair share of injuries.<\/p>\n
Don\u010di\u0107 has played in the Lakers\u2019 last nine games and missed the matchup against the Bucks due to a right ankle sprain. He\u2019s been noticeably bandaging up his elbow, but is now listed as questionable with a right groin strain.<\/p>\n
Given his level of play and availability, there’s nothing to be too concerned about, but Luka’s groin strain is a newly reported injury.<\/p>\n
Reaves has been dealing with a right ankle sprain, but has toughed it out and hasn\u2019t missed any games yet because of it. Tuesday might be a chance for him to lay off it for at least a day.<\/p>\n
On the Thunder front, Jaylin Williams is questionable, and Ousmane Dieng, Alex Ducas, Ajay Mitchell and Nikola Topic are out. This makes OKC relatively healthy with their core players, such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, available to play.<\/p>\n
So, brace yourselves, Lakers fans, this one could get ugly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Lakers were at full strength against the Thunder on Sunday and had one of their best wins of the season, dominating OKC in their home. With… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":50810,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-50809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba"],"yoast_head":"\n