On April 17, Beijing time, the NBA officially entered the exciting play-off stage, and the matchup between the Lakers and the Pelicans will be the first. The latest reports suggest that the Pelicans will head into this pivotal game with full fitness, while the Lakers have suffered some potential injury crises.
First up is James, who is suffering from a left ankle peroneal tendon injury, but he has shown a tenacity and the report suggests that he will likely play in this crucial game. This is undoubtedly a shot in the arm for the Lakers, as James' experience and leadership are crucial in high-pressure games.
But the status of Davis, another key player for the Lakers, is in question. Davis left the field with a back cramp in the final game of the regular season, and while it was initially determined that the injury would not affect the play-offs, his form is currently classified as doubtful, meaning there is a half-chance that he will not be available.
Medical expert Jeffries said Davis' availability depends on his recovery, and it would be no surprise if he ends up missing the game.
For the Lakers, if Davis is not able to play, it will be a serious challenge for the team's interior line, and without his rim protection, the Lakers' interior box will become a playground for Pelicans All-Star forward Zion.
Interestingly, ESPN seems to have tacitly tacitly agreed that Davis will not play in this game, with the site's latest prediction data showing that the Pelicans have a 58% chance of winning, while the Lakers have a 42% chance of winning.
On the strategic level, some media people suggested that the Lakers consider losing this game, which on the one hand would reduce the potential risk of players playing with injuries, and on the other hand, once they enter the playoffs in the seventh place in the West, they will face the Denver Nuggets, who suffered in the Western Conference finals last season, in the first round, and if they advance as the eighth seed, they can face the young and inexperienced Thunder.