Brooklyn Nets vs. Los Angeles Lakers: A Battle of Depleted Rosters
The Philadelphia 76ers are set to visit the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night, while the Brooklyn Nets simultaneously host the Los Angeles Lakers. This game is noteworthy due to several star players being sidelined, including LeBron James, whose recent injury has dominated sports headlines. With James expected to sit out for at least the next week or two, Brooklyn might have a chance to stage an upset victory at home. However, the Nets aren’t without their own setbacks, as key players will also be missing from their lineup.
According to the latest NBA injury report, Cam Thomas won’t be hitting the court for the Nets on Monday due to a hamstring injury. Thomas recently made his comeback to basketball, having missed more than a month before returning to action on February 28 against the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite getting 21 minutes of gameplay, Brooklyn lost the match by 19 points. Thomas was then absent for the Nets’ subsequent game against the Detroit Pistons but showed up for their away game against the San Antonio Spurs. The Nets managed to play him for three consecutive games in December, where he averaged 21 points on a 42% shooting accuracy from the field. While his offensive contributions were significant, the Nets couldn’t secure a win during that stint.
On the other hand, the Philadelphia 76ers are riding high after a victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday night, which lifted them to a 22-41 record for the season. This win nudged them past the Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference standings, securing the 11th spot. The 76ers trail just under four games behind the Chicago Bulls, who currently hold the final NBA Play-In position in the East and are on a two-game winning streak. If the season were to conclude on March 10, the Sixers would be in line for the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, unless they secure a top-six pick, it will instead go to the Oklahoma City Thunder. As per Tankathon, the Sixers have a 32% probability of their selection landing in the top four and a 7.5% chance of claiming the No. 1 overall pick.