MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Lakers’ stars swapped availability for Wednesday’s road game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
LeBron James was back in the lineup after being sidelined for Tuesday’s 128-124 double-overtime victory over the Bucks in Milwaukee while Anthony Davis wasn’t available against the Grizzlies because of a left knee hyperextension he suffered against the Bucks.
James, who has been dealing with left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, and Davis entered the matchup as questionable.
Davis had 34 points, 23 rebounds and four blocked shots in a career-high 52 minutes against the Bucks.
“We’ll see [Thursday],“ Lakers coach Darvin Ham said when asked whether Davis will be available for Friday’s road game against the Indiana Pacers. “We’ll see how it goes when he gets up.”
With Davis out, Jaxson Hayes started alongside James, D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura. Two-way big man Harry Giles III also got early rotation minutes with the Lakers lacking frontcourt depth.
Sitting James allowed him to get two days of rest after Ham said James was experiencing “significant discomfort” after Sunday night’s home win against the Pacers.
TNT sideline reporter Chris Haynes reported on Tuesday during the win over the Bucks that James sent him a text explaining how he’s managing the injury, saying: “I have to be very strategic and smart of how I manage the rest of the season with my ankle/foot in order to get to the finish line. Whatever line that lies ahead.”
James provided more clarity on Wednesday.
“Just be very strategic on what, obviously, games and how many days in between games and flights and things of that nature,” he said postgame. “Understanding and seeing how my ankle and my foot is feeling. But just being very smart about it, obviously.
“We are where we are, but our health has always been the most important for our ballclub. Not just one individual. But for me looking out for myself when it comes to injury and knowing my foot and knowing my ankle and how it reacts, and how it’s been over the last couple of years, it’s just always keeping a hefty eye on it.”
With just nine games left in the regular season after Wednesday, time is ticking on the Lakers’ chances to move up in the Western Conference standings.
James was asked whether that affects how he manages his ankle.
“I mean, I would’ve probably tried to play [Tuesday] if that was the case,” he responded. “I gotta be smart with it. If I’m not healthy, or any close to being healthy, then it’s not good for our ballclub anyway. It’s not good for me.”
HOT SHOOTING
Wednesday marked the seventh game this season the Lakers shot at least 50% from 3-point range in a game, making 18 of 33 attempts (54.5%) from behind the arc.
They had just three of those games last season.
The Lakers have been the hottest 3-point shooting team in the NBA for 2½ months, shooting a league-best 40.6% from 3-point range in their 33 games since Jan. 15.