The Los Angeles Lakers will look to continue their five-game winning streak when they host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday in their final group play game of the Emirates NBA Cup. They have already clinched West Group B on Tuesday with a 135-118 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, which means they will advance to the quarterfinal round of the knockout round.
Starting center Deandre Ayton missed that contest due to a knee contusion he sustained on Sunday versus the Utah Jazz. Lakers coach JJ Redick said that Ayton’s MRI came back “clean” and that he hoped to get the big man back in action by the end of this week.
Ayton is listed as probable for Friday’s contest, while guard Marcus Smart is questionable due to back spasms.
Smart had previously missed two games this season because of a quad contusion, and he also missed some time during the preseason when he was dealing with an Achilles condition.
Dallas has a strong frontline, which includes former Lakers big man Anthony Davis. Davis has missed the team’s last 14 games with a calf strain, but he could make his return against his old team on Friday, as he’s listed as questionable.
L.A.’s next game after Friday will be on Sunday versus the New Orleans Pelicans at home. After hosting the Phoenix Suns on Monday, it will start a six-game road trip on Thursday when it visits the surprising Toronto Raptors.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Injury report for Deandre Ayton, Lakers versus Mavericks
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
