The Los Angeles Lakers are back in Los Angeles for Thursday night’s showdown against the Brooklyn Nets and they won’t be the only team missing a superstar player. The Nets ruled Kevin Durant out for Thursday night’s game between the Nets and Lakers, according to USA TODAY’s own Mark Medina. Durant will miss his third straight game as he is dealing with what the Nets are calling a “mild” hamstring strain, which happened shortly after his return to the lineup after missing a week due to the league’s health and safety protocols.
However, while the Lakers won’t face Durant they will likely have to deal with the high level scoring of Kyrie Irving, who is probable to make his return after missing Tuesday night’s game with a sore lower back. While Irving’s return to the lineups elevates the Nets’ firepower, the Lakers’ No. 1 concern will be James Harden, who is coming off of a 38-point, 11 assists, and seven rebounds in a stunning comeback win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
The Lakers will play their second straight game on Thursday without Anthony Davis. The Lakers are 6-1 so far this season in games without Davis in the lineup after their win on Tuesday at Minnesota.
