76ers vs. Lakers: Will LeBron James, Anthony Davis Play?

LeBron James and Anthony Davis are on the Lakers' injury report against the Sixers.

Justin Grasso | Dec 9, 2022

76ers vs. Lakers: Will LeBron James, Anthony Davis Play? /

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The Los Angeles Lakers started the year off on a low note. While they are slowly developing a groove, winning six of their last ten games, their recent two-game skid could expand to three if they fail to make it out of South Philly with a win on Friday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Los Angeles has two notable names on its injury report in Anthony Davis and LeBron James. Davis, who’s been battling a non-COVID illness, missed Los Angeles’s December 7 matchup against the Toronto Raptors on the road. In the previous game, Davis appeared on the court for just eight minutes of Cleveland before getting pulled.

Lately, Davis has been surging. By avoiding any key setbacks to begin the year, the Lakers’ star has found ways to will his team to victory when healthy. Prior to his eight-minute showing in Cleveland, Davis averaged 35 points and 16 rebounds in the previous nine games. During that stretch, the Lakers were 7-2.

The good news for the Lakers is that Davis is probable on Friday night. By getting the last couple of days off, it seems the talented big man is on pace to make his return after a one-game absence.

As for LeBron James, he’s battling ankle soreness ahead of the Sixers matchup. Similar to Davis, the superstar missed LA’s matchup against the Raptors earlier this week.

As of Friday morning, James remains probable for Friday’s game against the 76ers. Barring any unexpected setbacks, the All-Star should be on pace to face Joel Embiid, James Harden, and the 76ers when they meet in South Philly for the first and only time this season.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.

Published Dec 9, 2022

JUSTIN GRASSO

Title: Credentialed writer/reporter covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation Email: JustinGrasso32@Gmail.com Location: Philadelphia, PA Expertise: Reporting, insight, and analysis on the Sixers and the NBA Justin Grasso is a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writer’s Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoNBA