The Los Angeles Lakers will be without a key player and will likely have to play a lot smaller than they usually do when they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first part of Wednesday’s ESPN double-header. Lakers head coach Frank Vogel told reporters they will be without back-up center Dwight Howard, who is dealing with knee soreness, will miss Wednesday’s game. However, Vogel still has hope that Howard can suit up for the Lakers on Thursday against the Houston Rockets.
Without Howard, JaVale McGee will likely get extended minutes and it will also give a chance for other players who haven’t played a lot, such as Markieff Morris, to get more run. This will also likely mean more time for Kyle Kuzma.
Oklahoma City is still in a battle for playoff seeding and need to win this game in order to stay within a half game of the 5th place Utah Jazz. As for the Lakers, head coach Frank Vogel is hoping to see a more complete performance for 48 minutes.
