The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets face notable absences as they prepare for Monday night’s showdown at the Toyota Center.
Lakers forward Maxi Kleber will miss the game with a lumbar back strain, leaving the team short on frontcourt depth.
Houston’s injury list is more extensive. Steven Adams (left ankle surgery), Jae’Sean Tate (right knee sprain), and Fred VanVleet (right knee ACL repair) are confirmed out. Alperen Sengun is listed as questionable with low back pain, while two-way guard JD Davison is unavailable.
Lakers stars Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and LeBron James remain active. Doncic is averaging 32.8 points, 8.5 assists, and 8.0 rebounds, while Reaves contributes 24.0 points and 5.5 assists per game. James adds 21.3 points with 7.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds.
The Rockets will rely heavily on Kevin Durant and Amen Thompson. Durant is putting up 26.0 points, 4.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game. Thompson contributes 17.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. Jabari Smith Jr. and Sengun provide frontcourt scoring, though Sengun’s status remains uncertain.
Both teams enter the contest riding different momentum. The Lakers have won five of their last ten, including an overtime victory over the Nuggets and a comfortable win against the Timberwolves. Houston is 6-4 over the last ten, edging past New Orleans in their latest outing but suffering a blowout loss at Denver prior.
In season head-to-head play, the Rockets claimed a decisive 119-96 win over Los Angeles on Christmas Day.
Game tip-off is set for 9:30 PM ET at the Toyota Center.
