The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-91 Sunday night, without Anthony Davis as a precaution due to a calf contusion. The Angels will have games on consecutive days when this Monday night they jump into pain again, however, both Lebron James and Alex Caruso are in doubt due to an ankle sprain and hand injury respectively, confirmed the coach Frank Vogel.
In the opening game of the 2020-21 season against the Clippers, LeBron James suffered a sprained left ankle, although this did not stop him from continuing. Tonight against Minnesota, he twisted the same ankle prior to halftime, but remained in the game. James played 26 minutes for three quarters, came out of the game with 1:11 of the third half when the Lakers had a 99-67 lead.
“(My ankle) has had better days, but I feel good. I’m going to go to sleep, I want to rest and we’ll see how good he is tomorrow,” Lebron James shared after the triumph where he contributed 18 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
Without Davis available, Kyle Kuzma was a starter and he did it in a big way. Kuz contributed 20 points in the first half alone and connected in particular with Marc Gasol in the first quarter, including a pair of assists for two of his four triples.
“We have two superstars (LeBron and Davis), legitimately, but when one of them isn’t there and I have a better chance of being in pain from the start, it helps my game. I always try to contribute to have an impact on the game for the team, ”Kuzma said.
It was also a special night for Marc Gasol at Staples Center, the Catalan center scored 12 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 blocks and went 3 of 3 in triples.
“Some players can see the plays before they happen for their reading of the game. (Marc) is one of them,” Lebron James said of the high basketball score he shares with Gasol.
The reigning champions have great power in the offensive and distribute the load to concretize the shots, they look for to move the ball constantly. Of the three games played so far this season, against Minnesota was the most assists they have had as a team with 32.
“We don’t have a goal of how many assists we want in a game, we have so many players who can make shots, that no one should feel pressured to make a bad shot when we can move the ball from side to side. We have the ability to do great things. on the offensive, ”James noted.
For this Monday against the Portland Trailblazers, the Lakers hope to get Anthony Davis back, though they could be without LeBron.