The eighth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves face the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first Western Conference play-in game Tuesday night.
Update Injury Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers
We’ve reached the NBA postseason after a regular season full of ups and downs, twists and turns, load management issues, and teams sitting half their roster for seemingly no reason.
The winner of this game earns the seventh seed, while the loser gets another shot at playoff life when they face the winner of the 9/10 game for the eighth seed.
Minnesota finished the regular season with a 113-108 home victory over New Orleans on Sunday while Los Angeles defeated Utah 128-117 at home.
The Los Angeles Lakers finished the regular season on a high note, while the Minnesota Timberwolves are mired in a punch-driven drama that will keep center Rudy Gobert out.
Minnesota (42-40) will be without rim protector Gobert, who was suspended for the game after punching teammate Kyle Anderson in the chest during Sunday’s 113-108 home win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
During a huddle, the two players had a verbal disagreement, and the situation quickly became tense. Anderson said something that irritated Gobert, and the 7-footer took a step toward him before punching him in the chest.
Teammates quickly intervened, and Gobert was taken to the locker room and promptly dismissed.
The Timberwolves flew to Los Angeles without Gobert on Monday and will attempt to defeat the Lakers without the three-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Gobert apologized for the incident on Sunday night.
Minnesota will also be without forward Jaden McDaniels, who fractured his right hand after punching a wall during the game on Sunday. McDaniels was cast and will be out indefinitely
In comparison to the Timberwolves, the Lakers are in a calm environment and are dealing with a situation that did not appear to be all that likely, it’s key players injuries.
- LeBron James – Questionable
According to Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet, LeBron James (foot) is listed as probable for Tuesday’s play-in game against Minnesota.
James has been added to the injury report again after suffering a foot injury, but all indications point to the star forward playing.
King James finished the regular season with 30-plus points in three of his final four games and should be available for as many minutes as his team requires Tuesday evening.
- Anthony Davis – Questionable
Anthony Davis (foot) is expected to play in Tuesday’s Play-In game against the Timberwolves, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
Despite the injury tag, it would be surprising if Davis was unable to play in Tuesday’s crucial Play-In game against Minnesota.
Over 35.8 minutes per game, the 30-year-old has appeared in 12 straight games, averaging 25.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.9 blocks
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Injury Update Lakers:
| PLAYER | INJURY | STATUS |
| LeBron James | Foot | Game Time Decision |
| Anthony Davis | Foot | Game Time Decision |
| D’Angelo Russell | Foot | Game Time Decision |
| Shaquille Harrison | Not Injury Related | Game Time Decision |
| Tristan Thompson | Not Injury Related | Game Time Decision |
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Injury Update T-Wolves:
| PLAYER | INJURY | STATUS |
| Jaylen Nowell | Knee | Game Time Decision |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Calf | Game Time Decision |
| Jaden McDaniels | Hand | Expected to be out until at least Apr 30 |
| Naz Reid | Wrist | Expected to be out until at least May 12 |
