As has been the case for most of this season, the Los Angeles Lakers are a bit short-handed right now as they attempt to make a final push before the end of the regular season.
Guard Gabe Vincent and forward Jarred Vanderbilt, arguably their two best perimeter defenders, have been out for several weeks because of a knee ailment and foot injury, respectively. They’re also without big man Christian Wood, who has been out since mid-February with knee swelling. Wood, in all likelihood, is out for the rest of the season after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his ailing knee.
Another Lakers player who has been unable to play lately is forward Cam Reddish. He missed their last four games and five of their last six because of a sprained ankle, and he previously sat out 17 games in January and February.
According to head coach Darvin Ham, he’s expected to play on Friday when L.A. hosts the Philadelphia 76ers.
Darvin Ham with a health update on Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt and Cam Reddish: pic.twitter.com/oYZZZp5ze5
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 20, 2024
Reddish is hardly an impact player, but he can, at times, play effective team defense. While Philly has been struggling for the past several weeks without reigning MVP Joel Embiid, it still has to be considered a threat because of rising star Tyrese Maxey, and perhaps Reddish will help contain Maxey.
