The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Apr. 10 that LeBron James, Marcus Smart, and Luke Kennard are available to play in Friday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns, while Jaxson Hayes will be sidelined due to left foot injury management. Kennard had initially been listed as questionable but was cleared after warming up.
This matchup holds significance for the Lakers as they seek to secure home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs. A win over the Suns, coupled with a Houston Rockets loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, would guarantee at least a fourth seed for Los Angeles. The team also remains in contention for the third seed if they win their remaining games and the Denver Nuggets lose one of theirs.
James has resumed his role as primary creator following injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. He delivered a strong performance in a recent victory over the Golden State Warriors and is expected to continue leading the team during this crucial stretch.
Smart returns after missing nine consecutive games due to a right ankle contusion. His defensive energy and veteran presence have been missed by the Lakers, especially with other key players sidelined. Kennard’s availability is important as he has recently served as primary ball-handler amid ongoing injuries within the roster.
With playoffs approaching, managing player health remains a priority for Los Angeles. The decision to rest Hayes reflects an emphasis on keeping players healthy rather than focusing solely on playoff seeding. Meanwhile, opponents like Phoenix are also resting key contributors such as Devin Booker ahead of postseason play.
In preparation for upcoming playoff games, the Lakers have waived Kobe Bufkin to open up a roster spot. The franchise may add an outside player or convert one of its two-way contracts into a standard deal before postseason competition begins.