The Los Angeles Lakers will have a big matchup on Saturday against the Denver Nuggets that will have playoff implications. They currently rank fourth place in the Western Conference with a 41-25 record, and they’re half a game ahead of Denver, which is in fifth place.
Over the last few games, the Lakers have been somewhat banged up. LeBron James returned to action for their 142-130 win over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday after missing three straight games due to an elbow ailment, left foot arthritis and a hip contusion. Marcus Smart, Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber didn’t play in that contest due to various ailments.
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James will once again be available on Saturday, and Smart has been cleared to return. Hayes is listed as probable, but Kleber will not play.
Smart’s return on Saturday will be especially important, as he will likely be guarding Nuggets All-Star Jamal Murray for a good amount of time. Murray scored 28 points when Denver defeated the Lakers 120-113 on March 5, but on Jan. 20, with Smart’s help, Murray went 1-of-6 from the field and scored two points in the second half in a 115-107 Lakers win.
Denver has had its own injury issues lately, and while forward Aaron Gordon didn’t play in its 136-131 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, he’s listed as probable for Saturday, as is Murray. Key reserve forward Peyton Watson will continue to be out with a hamstring strain.
Denver has won four of its last six games. Murray is having a career-best year in terms of scoring, and superstar center Nikola Jokić is averaging a triple-double, just as he did last season.
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This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Lakers reveal injury report for Saturday’s showdown versus Nuggets
