In some way the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans are concurrently in several and related conditions. One main commonality they share is all-star caliber expertise as a consequence of quickly return to motion — Anthony Davis for the Los Angeles Lakers and Brandon Ingram for the Pelicans.
Darvin Ham instructed the media that Davis (stress fracture) participated in a full contact scrimmage on Saturday— all the time the tallest hurdle for NBA gamers to clear in returning to the ground after damage — and mentioned he seemed nice. Starting Tuesday evening, the Pelicans are at dwelling for 3 consecutive video games, and Ingram (large toe contusion) is optimistic that he’ll return to the ground throughout this stretch.
Submitseason implications for each groups
The Lakers are presently the twelfth seed within the Western Convention and clinging to postseason hopes by their fingertips with a roster so skinny that Austin Reeves’ damage is considerably affecting their depth. On Tuesday, the Lakers traded three second-round picks to the Washington Wizards for Rui Hachimura, and he’s arguably their third-best wholesome participant.
Close to the highest of the Western Convention is the place the Pelicans reside, presently possessing the fourth seed. Their roster depth is at ocean-floor degree, with an extended checklist of gamers who can present matchup issues. Not solely has Ingram been injured for an prolonged time frame, however so has Zion Williamson, and Herbert Jones has been out and in of the lineup all season. But, the Pelicans have nonetheless averted falling into the play-in match portion of the standings.
Whereas the Pelicans and Lakers are on totally different ends of the postseason spectrum, they’re solely separated within the standings by 4 video games. There are 5 video games separating the Pelicans from the No. 2 seed Memphis Grizzlies.
G/O Media might get a fee
Dependancy counseling
Protected Haven Well being
Accessible for all
Protected Haven prioritizes your wants with versatile and individuated substance abuse remedy, particularly opioid & alcohol dependancy.
Who makes the playoffs?
The Lakers have additionally proven some grit in current weeks. They’ve fought to maintain their season afloat profitable eight of their final 12 video games, together with a giant one towards the Grizzlies that was overshadowed by an indignant Shannon Sharpe and his beautiful blue cardigan. Nevertheless, a few shedding streaks nonetheless have them a number of video games beneath .500.
Ingram went down on Nov. 30, however the Pelicans had been nonetheless capable of rise to the highest of the Western Convention standings in mid-December. Williamson went down with a hamstring damage throughout a recreation on Jan. 2, and the Pelicans have received three video games since.
A part of the deal in a grind of a sport just like the NBA is getting via stretches when key gamers miss vital time. Video games can be misplaced, however groups with postseason aspirations should discover methods to return out of these stretches with out shedding an excessive amount of floor. Up to now these two groups, whereas it has been a battle, have managed to maintain from free falling too far within the standings.
On Tuesday evening, the Lakers tackle a wholesome Los Angeles Clippers squad, and the Pelicans host the present first-place crew within the Western Convention, the Denver Nuggets. Each squads will proceed to compete, however whereas a win could be nice, the perfect factor that may occur to each groups this week is a agency date set on when Davis and Ingram can return to the ground.
