The Los Angeles Lakers host the Boston Celtics Sunday at Crypto.com Arena.
The NBA's most historic rivalry kicks off again Sunday with a matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics and for the Lakers, their entering the game with a clean bill of health once again as their turbulent season of injuries has finally reached a end, at least for now.
The Lakers are still riding the high of their tight 125-122 win over the crosstown rival Los Angeles Clippers on Friday and with Luka Doncic triumphantly back in the lineup with a 38-point performance over the Clippers, the Lakers are looking formidable once again with a clean bill of health.
The only players listed OUT for the Lakers are Bronny James and Adou Thiero, both on assignment in the G-League.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) goes to the basket past Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) during the second half at TD Garden. Winslow Townson-Imagn ImagesWho's OUT on Sunday?
The Lakers pursuing their third-straight win in the matchup against the Celtics, while looks to do the same. The Celtics have a mostly clean bill of health of their own, with the only absence due to injury being Jayson Tatum, who remains OUT while he recovers from a ruptured right Achilles he suffered last season.
Tatum has continued working his way back with practices with the Celtics' G-League affiliate, but there's still no definite timetable for his return or a chance that he'll even make a return for the Celtics this season.
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at the TD Garden. Brian Fluharty-Imagn ImagesIn addition to Tatum's absence due to his Achilles, Max Shulga is OUT on a two-way contract and playing in the G-League while Amari Williams, whom the Celtics upgraded to a standard contract in early February, is available.
Doncic's Impact and Playoff Implications
Having Doncic back in the lineup is a huge plus for the Lakers. He leads the league in pointers per game with 33 and he's third in the league in assists per game with 8.6 and even if the amount of games he's missed this season may put his MVP award chances in questions, that doesn't change the fact that he plays like a MVP on the court.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) walks off of the court after a game against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden. Brian Fluharty-Imagn ImagesThe Lakers' are tied with the Houston Rockets for the fourth-seed in the Western Conference at the moment and the combination of a Lakers win and Denver Nuggets loss on Sunday would propel Los Angeles to a tie for the third-seed with the Nuggets instead, a position they haven't since cooling off midway through the season.
With the season winding down, every game carries playoff implications and the Lakers would gladly climb up another spot in the conference if given the opportunity.
Boston Celtics forward Josh Minott (8) blocks a shot by Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first half at TD Garden. Winslow Townson-Imagn ImagesIt won't be an easy task against the Celtics, though. Boston is the second-best team in the NBA when it comes to defensive points allowed and have the third-best point differential in the league.
Taking on such a defensive titan means that the healthy offensive presences of Donic and Austin Reaves will be more crucial than ever.