Lakers Injury Report: Latest On 3 Ailing Pelicans Ahead Of Matchup

LA needs to bounce back in a hurry from Timberwolves loss.

Your Los Angeles Lakers may not have revealed their latest injury issues ahead of their second night of a back-to-back pair of games (color us dubious as to whether newly-39-year-old superstar LeBron James plays), but tonight's opposition has, per the latest NBA injury report.

Star forward Trey Murphy III is considered questionable to play through a sore left knee, while ex-Laker Matt Ryan is still on the shelf following a right elbow surgery. Backup center Cody Zeller will be playing with a face mask, a familiar look for him. 

New Orleans rookie guard Jordan Hawkins, selected with the No. 14 pick out of UConn this summer, has been recalled from his assignment to the club's G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, per a team press release. Two-way second-year power forward E.J. Liddell, meanwhile, remains with the Pelican's NBAGL squad.

Last night, as you'll sadly recall, the Lakers lost to the West's top-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in excruciating fashion, a 108-106 bummer wherein referees made a highly questionable call regarding the relative location of James' foot on a three-point shot. James played nearly 39 minutes on his 39th birthday, scoring 26 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the floor (1-of-4 from deep) and 5-of-7 shooting from the foul line. He also notched six assists, three steals and a block. All this is to say, the dude is probably exhausted, and may (and should!) sit out the evening's bout against a higher-seeded Pellies club. At 18-14, New Orleans is currently the seventh seed in the Western Conference. The 17-16 Lakers are the ninth seed.