The Los Angeles Lakers are set to travel to the Capital One Arena on Thursday to take on the Washington Wizards. Sitting 5th in the Western Conference, above their city rivals, the LA Clippers, they will hate to relinquish their spot above them. However, that will be the least of their concerns after the injury report submitted by the Lakers on January 29. Lakers fans, it’s time to panic, LeBron James is on the list.

That’s not all. Other key players join him on the injury report too. So what does this mean for their availability? Let’s find out.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Washington Wizards – will LeBron James play against the Wizards?

Currently, LeBron James is listed as QUESTIONABLE due to left foot injury management. His status has been downgraded from PROBABLE which it had been for the past few games. What does this mean for the Lakers? Well, it means they may not be able to rely on their King to carry them against the Wizards. Though his status is being considered from day to day. Making this worse is that Anthony Davis is also set to remain absent for some time after injuring himself against the Philadelphia 76ers.

AD is out of the Wizards game with an abdominal strain. His status will be re-evaluated in a week. Adding to the Lakers’ woes, the duo of Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent also remain QUESTIONABLE for the Wizards game. They are both suffering from contusions to their right shoulder and left knee respectively. 

Still recovering from their injuries from a while back, Christian Wood and Jalen Hood-Schifino are also OUT of the squad for the Wizards game. Furthermore, Rui Hachimura remains PROBABLE as he deals with soreness in his left calf. Although he will likely play through his injuries given the Lakers’ lack of squad depth. That said, let’s have a look at how they might line up against Washington.

Lakers vs Wizards – predicted starting lineup

Given the injuries to their squad, the Lakers will struggle to field a competitive lineup. However, they will take solace in the fact that their opponents aren’t in the best of form this season. 

The Wizards are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and 0-10 heading into the Lakers game. Here’s what we think the Lakers may look like against the Wizards on Thursday. 

This is clearly not the best that the Lakers have to offer. And their opponents, the Wizards, will be chomping at the bit to improve on their 6-40 record on Thursday. But even with this lineup, the Lakers, under the guidance of JJ Redick, are not to be underestimated.

The game against the Wizards will be telling of how much the Lakers can get done without the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. So let us know who you think will leave the Capital One Arena with the W on Thursday!