When asked about the Los Angeles Lakers and their 31-43 record, plus their getting-worse-by-the-loss chances of making the NBA playoffs, Dorian Finney-Smith didn’t hesitate.
“They got LeBron,” the Mavericks’ defensive stopper and 3-point sniper said. “So they got a chance. Regardless of what anybody says, they got LeBron on the court, so they definitely got a chance to win the game.”
But what about when LeBron James isn’t on the court?
The Mavericks may not have to deal with King James and his league-leading 30.1 points per game on Tuesday. Lakers’ coach Frank Vogel said on Monday after his team practiced at American Airlines Center that James is doubtful for the nationally televised contest.
James said Sunday night that he had “no idea how I finished the game, to be honest,” after suffering the left ankle injury in the Lakers’ 116-108 loss at New Orleans.
On Monday, Vogel said: “He definitely has some swelling from the ankle sprain. And we’ll list him as doubtful for tomorrow.”
James remained at the team’s hotel to receive treatment on the ankle, rather than attend a practice that he probably wouldn’t have participate in.
The lure of James vs. Luka Dončić is why the game (6:30 p.m. tipoff) is being televised nationally by TNT.
There could be some added zest to the match if the Lakers’ Anthony Davis returns after missing more than a month’s worth of games with a mid-foot problem.
“Positive sign,” Vogel said. “He went through a full practice, did all our drill work and some live scrimmaging. We’re at a point now that it’s about how he responds to that.”
The big man will be listed as doubtful, Vogel said, but that’s an upgrade for Davis.
Because of injuries to both, the Lakers have had a difficult time getting Davis and James on the court together for extended runs this season.
“It’s been that type of year – definitely snake-bitten with trying to get those guys on the court together. It’s one of those things that’s out of our control. It’s unfortunate, but we’re going to have to shift our identity on the floor (to) who’s in and who’s out.”
If the Mavericks want an example of how the Lakers will look if James cannot play, they can reference, LA’s 126-121 home loss last week to Philadelphia. In that game, James and Davis both were out, but the Lakers’ other three (likely) future hall of famers, Russell Westbrook, Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony, all scored more than 20 points.
“We fought like hell in that game,” Vogel said. “And we’re going to fight like hell tomorrow night.”
The Mavericks have been a terrific home team since the calendar turned to 2022, going 18-4 at AAC.
Part of their success is that they’ve taken care of business against teams, regardless of whether they’re playoff bound or lottery fodder.
“We don’t tend to talk about the record or play the record,” coach Jason Kidd said. “We talk about the capabilities of the team. The Lakers have the leading scorer of this season in LeBron. They just lost a tough one in New Orleans and they’re fighting for that play-in situation. So we don’t have the luxury of taking anybody lightly.”
It remains to be seen whether that leading scorer will be available.
Twitter: @ESefko
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