Boston Celtics
James’s NBA report of scoring double-digit factors in 1,297 consecutive common season video games got here to an finish Thursday.
The Lakers (16-5) shall be shorthanded and the Celtics (13-9) will proceed to be with out certainly one of their very own superstars throughout Friday evening’s rivalry sport at TD Backyard. Notably, each groups are enjoying the second evening of a back-to-back.
With Boston’s Jayson Tatum nonetheless rehabbing from his torn Achilles, Los Angeles will equally be with out three of their standout gamers: LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and ex-Celtic Marcus Good.
James, whose NBA report of scoring double-digit factors in 1,297 consecutive common season video games came to an end Thursday, shall be sidelined with proper sciatica and left foot joint arthritis, the Lakers introduced forward of tipoff Friday.
The soon-to-be 41-year-old (James’s birthday is Dec. 30) made his season debut on Nov. 18 after lacking Los Angeles’ first 14 video games. James was identified with sciatica earlier than the beginning of this season, which saved him away from sport motion.
The NBA’s all-time main scorer has performed in six video games this season and is averaging 14 factors per sport. James can be averaging 7.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per sport. The Lakers have received 5 of the six video games James has performed in (misplaced to the Suns on Dec. 1).
Doncic, who was dealt to Los Angeles in February’s stunning trade with the Mavericks final season, is out on account of private causes. His fiancée reportedly not too long ago gave beginning to their second youngster, a daughter, in Slovenia.
As for Good, 31, a former longtime and beloved member of the Celtics, he won’t play on account of a left lumbar muscle pressure. Since being traded to the Grizzlies in June 2023, Good has solely confronted Boston as soon as (Dec. 7, 2024, with Memphis). Accidents have saved him out of a number of potential contests towards his ex-team, which he performed for for practically a decade.
Since being traded from the Celtics, Good has performed in 48 video games.
With the Celtics, starting in 2014, Good appeared in 581 whole common season video games (360 begins) and 108 postseason video games. He averaged 10.6 factors, 4.6 assists, and three.5 rebounds per sport within the common season throughout his tenure. Within the playoffs, Good averaged 12.8/4.9/4.3 per sport, in addition to 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks per sport.
The Lakers will possible closely rely on guard Austin Reaves to guide them on Friday. Reaves is averaging 28.9 factors per sport this season. Getting into Friday, that’s sixth-best within the league behind the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown (29.0), Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell (30.7), 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey (32.6), Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.8), and Doncic (35.3).
As for the Celtics, Brown is ready to make his return after a one-game absence on account of illness. Apart from Tatum, Boston supplied a clear harm report forward of Friday’s 7 p.m. Jap Time tipoff.
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