On the final day of 2024, the Lakers have a chance to rewrite their fate for the new year. The LA side is all set to take on the mighty Cavaliers on New Year’s Eve. It’s the perfect opportunity to set a positive course for the remainder of the season. After a shaky start to the campaign, though, LeBron James & Co. seemed to have found their rhythm after winning the last two games and look stronger than ever before. However, amid this positive atmosphere, the LA team has one major adversity. It’s the injury woes.

It’s the Lakers’ curse.

The team never really had a fully healthy roster in the last few seasons. Someone or the other would be still recovering from a season-ending injury. Last season, it was Gabe Vincent who had a knee injury. This season, the team has two other players who are yet to make their debut. Jarred Vanderbilt is recovering from two foot surgeries and Christian Wood is recovering from a left knee surgery.

The team still has to wait a bit longer until they finally lace up this season. Anyway, ahead of the game, the team listed Gabe Vincent, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis in the questionable category. So, these stars might miss the New Year’s Eve match-up.

Notably, Gabe Vincent’s injury woes aren’t over yet. In the last game against the Sacramento Kings, he suffered a left oblique strain, and it ultimately put him in the questionable category. On the other hand, LeBron James, who also missed out because of an illness, will continue to maintain the same status for tomorrow’s game. Finally, Anthony Davis, a frequent visitor of the IR, is dealing with plantar fasciitis, and he has appeared again for a different reason, a left ankle sprain.

Luckily, the team may have a replacement, as JJ Redick announced that the LA side listed Jaxson Hayes as probable.

LeBron James & C0’s starting lineup and depth chart after the newest trade

Even though the Lakers are missing out on their two core players, they have something significant to look forward to. It’s their new-look team. Following the win over Sactown on Saturday, the LA team dropped a shocking update. They traded D’Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis to the Brooklyn Nets, in exchange for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton!

This latest trade not only added some value to the team’s 3-point shooting but also boosted the defensive ability. D’Lo wasn’t having a great season, struggling to generate numbers, and importantly, he struggled to shoot the ball. It ultimately opened up a new chapter.

Nevertheless, this shorthanded lineup will be taking on the mighty Cavaliers, who have forgotten to lose a game! It can be yet another one-sided game favoring LeBron’s former team, or will it be a surprise from JJ Redick’s troops? Let us know in the comments below.