Los Angeles Lakers (50–29) vs. Golden State Warriors (37–42) | Game 80 of 82
WHERE TO WATCH AND WHAT TIME
Date: Thursday, April 9
Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. PT
Location: Chase Center — San Francisco, California
TV: PRIME
Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
GAME PREVIEW
The Lakers got good news on their plagued injury front on Wednesday. LeBron James, who was sidelined against the Thunder on Tuesday, will make his return as he was not listed on the injury report for their matchup in Golden State on Thursday.
Marcus Smart was also upgraded to questionable after missing the last eight games with an ankle injury.
The Lakers are still without their backcourt in Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, who both will miss the final three games of the regular season and maybe the start of the playoffs. And Jaxson Hayes will miss his second straight game.
"I know for him it's hard for him not to be on a basketball court,” coach JJ Redick said on Dončić's status before Tuesday's loss. “He wants to be back on the court."
The Lakers are coming off their third straight loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder, remaining winless in April after a hot 15-2 March. A telltale example of how things can rise and fall during an NBA season.
WHERE THEY STAND
The Lakers (50-29) sit No. 4 in the Western Conference with three games left in the regular season.
With a loss in Golden State and a Rockets win against the 76ers, Houston can jump ahead and push the Lakers to No. 5 after Thursday's games.
QUICK OPPONENT RUNDOWN
The Warriors (37-42) have been through a lot of turmoil this season with injuries across their roster. They have nine players on their injury front coming into this game. But despite that, they have positioned themselves in a play-in spot and a shot to get in the playoffs.
Golden State snapped a four-game skid on Tuesday in a five-point win over the Kings.
The Warriors have only had 92 games played this season between Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Kristaps Porzingis.
Curry made his return to the Warriors lineup on Sunday after missing nearly three months due to a knee injury.
The NBA’s all-time 3-pointers leader is Golden State’s leading scorer, averaging 27 points (41 games) in his 17th season.
WHAT TO AVOID
Free throw line woes.
The Lakers' loss to the Thunder was a big brother beating his little brother moment, with most of L.A.’s lineup featuring their G-Leaguers.
But their struggles at the free-throw line were overlooked in a throttling by the defending champs.
The Lakers shot 45% from the charity stripe, making 14 of their 31 attempts.
L.A. must avoid inconsistencies at the line, with every chance magnified with their stars out.
NOTABLE OPPONENT RANKS AMONG THE NBA
The Warriors' current ranking:
19th (113.8) in offensive rating
16th (114) in defensive rating
Other rankings:
PTS — 20th (114.8)
FGM — 23rd (41)
FG% — 25th (46%)
3P% — 18th (35.7%)
FT% – 7th (80.2%)
TOs — 28th (15.7)
SEASON SERIES
Game 1 — Warriors 119–109 win at L.A. (Oct. 21)
Game 2 — Lakers 105–99 win at L.A. (Feb. 7)
Game 3 — Lakers 129–101 win at Golden State (Feb. 28)
INJURY REPORT
Lakers:
Marcus Smart (ankle soreness): Questionable
Jaxson Hayes (foot): Out
Luka Dončić (Grade 2 left hamstring strain): Out
Austin Reaves (oblique): Out
Warriors:
Will Richard (back): Doubtful
Charles Bassey (ankle): Questionable
Gui Santos (pelvis): Questionable
LJ Cryer (illness): Probable
Kristaps Porzingis (illness): Out
Stephen Curry (knee): Questionable
Al Horford (calf): Out
Quinten Post (foot): Out
Moses Moody (torn left patellar tendon): Out
THREADS FOR THE GAME
The Lakers will wear their purple unis on the road, while the Warriors will wear their white association-edition jerseys.
NEXT MATCHUP
The Lakers will finish their final back-to-back game of the season on Friday back home against the Phoenix Suns.