Well, here we with the Lakers on the brink of elimination. Yes, injuries have been the main issue for Frank Vogel’s squad. With a healthy LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers looked like a team poised to make another title run. That all changed the moment Davis injured his groin.
Now, the Lakers head back to the Staples Center to try and force a Game 7 back in Phoenix. The question remains, will Anthony Davis be able to suit up? According to Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet, it remains unclear whether the All-NBA big man will be able to suit up:
Anthony Davis said he’s getting better every day, and added, re: his availability for Game 6:
“As far as tomorrow, I obviously want to (play) … still waiting to get medically cleared with the groin.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 2, 2021
At the very least Davis is feeling better. Will he be medically cleared to play will be the million-dollar question. It likely will be a game-time decision, but regardless the supporting cast has to play better.
Dennis Schröder, Kyle Kuzma, and a number of other role players must step up in Game 6 if the Lakers have any hopes of extending this series. It’s not only missing shots, but being afraid to shoot is even worse. LeBron is on one leg and we will need an unexpected hero to rise out of the shadows.
Maybe somebody like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who like Davis is also battling an injury and will also be a game-time decision according to Trudell:
Vogel said KCP looked OK in the first half of Game 5 from a movement standpoint, but his knee got increasingly sore on him as the game went on, and it tightened up in the 2nd half. He’ll be a game-time decision for Game 6.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 2, 2021
With the Lakers down so big in the first half of Game 5, it made sense for KCP to sit out the rest of the game. Now, it’s win or go home so it would be surprising if we don’t see Caldwell-Pope on the floor on Thursday. For what it’s worth, Christian Rivas of Silver Screen & Roll reports that the two will start this day as “questionable” to play in Game 6.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Anthony Davis have both been listed as questionable for Game 6.
— Christian Rivas (@RadRivas) June 3, 2021
It’s no secret the Lakers didn’t benefit from having such a short time between seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but here we are. Health permitting, it’s time for players to step up and deliver in the biggest state to defend the title.
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