Key Highlights
- It was an uphill battle from the beginning as L. A.
- was without Luka Dončić, Deandre Ayton, Jaxson Hayes, Austin Reaves and Adou Thiero.
- The Lakers also took some hits to Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia in-game, throwing their statuses for the second half of a back-to-back against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, Jan.
- 18 in doubt – at least initially. Adding to the laundry list of question marks, LeBron James is expected to be a game-time decision, as is to be the case with every back-to-back going forward. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Lakers are getting some much-needed relief on Sunday, with both Ayton and Hayes expected to back on the court.
- It also appears as though they've dodged a bullet as neither Smart or LaRavia were listed on the injury report. That leaves the two biggest questions that likely won't be definitively answered until we get closer to tip-off: Will Dončić and James take the court vs.