Lakers Face Grizzlies Without Anthony Davis and Rui Hachimura Due to Injury and Illness

The Los Angeles Lakers are set to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, November 6, but they will be without two key players. Anthony Davis, the Lakers’ best player this season, will miss the game due to a left heel contusion he aggravated in Detroit. Despite a pre-game workout, Davis was ruled out, marking his first missed game of the season.

Rui Hachimura is also out due to an illness, further depleting the Lakers’ frontcourt. Hachimura has had a strong start to the season, shooting well from deep and rebounding at a career-high rate. His absence, along with Davis’, puts significant pressure on other players to step up, particularly given the Lakers’ struggles with bench production this season.

The Lakers will look to other players to fill the gap, including Christian Koloko, who is available for the first time after being cleared by the NBA. Cam Reddish and Dalton Knecht may also see increased minutes, especially if the Lakers’ offense continues to struggle. The team is expected to experiment with different lineups, possibly going big with Jaxson Hayes to counter the Grizzlies’ two-big lineup featuring Zach Edey and Jaren Jackson Jr..

The Memphis Grizzlies, meanwhile, are on a three-game win streak after a slow start to the season. Ja Morant has been instrumental in their success, averaging 20.7 points, 9.7 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game. Morant’s performance has been particularly strong over his last three games, averaging 23 points and 11.7 assists.

The Grizzlies are dealing with their own injuries, with Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart out due to various ailments. However, Santi Aldama has been excellent for them, and rookie Zach Edey has shown promising form, including a standout performance against the Nets with 25 points and 12 rebounds.

The game, set to tip off at 8:00 PM ET at FedExForum in Memphis, promises to be a high-scoring affair given the offensive capabilities of both teams. The Lakers and Grizzlies are among the top teams in points per game, and their defensive vulnerabilities suggest the Over could be a viable betting option.

The matchup will be broadcast on Spectrum SportsNet and 710 AM ESPN LA, with the Lakers looking to end their five-game road trip on a positive note despite their injury woes.