LA Lakers vs Brooklyn Nets Injury Reports for March 31 | 2023-24 NBA Season
On Sunday, the final game of the season series between the LA Lakers and Brooklyn Nets will take place at Barclays Center. The Nets caused an upset in their last meeting on January 19 in LA, defeating the Lakers 130-112. In the first half, LeBron James and his team held a comfortable lead of six points.
In the last 24 minutes, the Nets made a significant comeback, outscoring the Lakers 68-44. The Lakers were struggling to find their rhythm, but this has since changed since February. They have recently gone on a 5-1 run as well.
Although the Nets have been on a solid three-game winning streak, the Lakers are still considered the favorite to win. However, with Brooklyn having homecourt advantage, the game could be a close one.
LA Lakers vs. Brooklyn Nets Injury Updates for Mar. 31
Both the Lakers and Nets have faced numerous injuries this season, resulting in struggles for both teams. However, the Lakers have been impacted more significantly as they entered the year as top contenders for the championship, while the Nets were expected to be in a rebuilding phase.
Despite the passage of time, the injury situation remains largely unchanged for both teams. Let’s take a look at the current injury reports:
| Player | Status | Injury |
| Anthony Davis | Questionable | Left knee hyperextension |
| Jalen Hood-Schifino | Out | Lumbar disc surgery |
| LeBron James | Questionable | Left ankle peroneal tendinopathy |
| Jarred Vanderbilt | Out | Right midfoot sprain |
| Gabe Vincent | Questionable | Left knee surgery |
| Christian Wood | Out | Left knee surgery |
Brooklyn Nets injury updates
The Nets’ injury report includes five players. Cameron Johnson (toe) is listed as questionable, while Dennis Smith Jr. (hip) is listed as probable. Keita Bates-Diop (tibia), Ben Simmons (back), and Dariq Whitehead (shin) have been declared out.
| Player | Status | Injury |
| Keita Bates-Diop | Out | Right tibia stress fracture |
| Cameron Johnson | Questionable | Left big toe sprain |
| Ben Simmons | Out | Left lower back nerve impingement |
| Dennis Smith Jr. | Probable | Right hip, synovitis |
| Dariq Whitehead | Out | Left shin, stress reaction |
Gabe Vincent’s Return Provides Major Boost for LA Lakers
It is expected that the Lakers will have one of their long-term absentees back for their game against the Nets on Sunday night. Gabe Vincent, a key acquisition in the offseason and 2023 NBA Finalist, is likely to make his return after playing only five games this season. He was brought in as a minor upgrade over Dennis Schroder.
Vincent’s anticipated contributions to the Lakers included his 3-point shooting, defensive skills against agile guards, and versatility as a secondary ball-handler and playmaker, adding depth to the team in multiple aspects.
Despite his efforts, a persistent knee injury hindered his ability to perform and resulted in him missing most of the year.
Despite not being utilized, Vincent could have been a valuable asset in defending against the Sacramento Kings backcourt, who dominated in all four of their games against LA, as well as against the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, specifically in guarding their top scorer Jamal Murray.
Despite this, he is on track to make his return soon and the Lakers are counting on him to remain injury-free for the remainder of the season. With a record of 41-33, LA is currently ranked ninth in the Western Conference and is determined to secure a top six seed or at least the seventh best record in order to have homecourt advantage in the play-in tournament and increase their chances of qualifying for the playoffs.
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