Injury status of Anthony Davis and Dalton Knecht against Thunder finalized

Los Angeles Lakers All-NBA center Anthony Davis and Rookie of the Year candidate shooting guard Dalton Knecht were both considered mere probables ahead of Friday night’s crucial 2024 Emirates NBA Cup home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Read more: Two Los Angeles starters’ injury status downgraded ahead of NBA Cup Thunder matchup

According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, both players have now officially been upgraded and will now start. Davis is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, while Knecht has a right quad contusion.

Davis’ primary backup this season, center Jaxson Hayes, was doubtful to play due to a bruised right ankle. Buha reveals that Hayes’ status has been downgraded to out.

The Lakers currently occupy West Group A and have a 2-1 record in NBA Cup group play, tied with the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder are 1-1, while the Utah Jazz are already eliminated after starting their group play run 0-3. LA needs to beat Oklahoma City to stay in the thick of the race for at least a wild card spot in the Western Conference.

The availability of Davis and Knecht will certainly help that effort, especially with Oklahoma City dealing with some major defensive breakdowns.

According to the league’s latest injury report, former Lakers champion Alex Caruso, a two-time All-Defensive Second Team selection with the Chicago Bulls, is out with a right hip strain. 2024 All-Rookie First Team center Chet Holmgren looked like an All-Star before suffering a right iliac hip fracture that will keep him on ice for months. Big backup Jaylin Williams (strained right hamstring) and Ousmane Dieng (small fracture of right ring finger) are also out. Rookie lottery pick Nikola Topic has already been ruled out for the season due to left knee surgery. Two-way player Alex Ducas is logging time with the Thunder’s G League team, the Oklahoma City Blue.

Lakers reserve centers Christian Wood (after left knee surgery) and Jarred Vanderbilt (after right foot surgery) have yet to make their season debuts and will not do so Friday night. Rookie point guard Bronny James is out again due to a bruised left heel. Second-year point guard Jalen Hood-Schifino is with LA’s G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.

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