Kofi Inkoom
The Los Angeles Lakers maintained their unfortunate tradition of losing on opening nights, falling to the Denver Nuggets with a final score of 107-119.
Their last opening night win dates back to 2016. Notably, key players Jarred Vanderbilt and Jalen Hood-Schifino were absent from this game.
The latest Lakers injury report reveals that Vanderbilt, due to left heel soreness, will miss his second consecutive regular season match.
Taurean Prince filled in for him in the starting lineup on Tuesday and is anticipated to continue in that role against Phoenix.
However, Vanderbilt’s status for the game on Sunday in Sacramento remains uncertain, as it’s part of a back-to-back set.
Moreover, Jalen Hood-Schifino, who sustained an injury by colliding knees with an opponent during a preseason game on October 13, remains unavailable.
The role of this rookie first-round pick in the rotation is uncertain until he fully recovers.
On a positive note, there’s promising news regarding Cam Reddish, who is likely to be available for Thursday’s game against the Suns despite a foot issue.
Although it’s unclear if his foot soreness is related to a previous ankle injury from the preseason, it’s reassuring that it won’t prevent him from playing on Thursday.
In the season opener, Reddish played for 21 minutes, and he may see increased playing time, especially with Jarred Vanderbilt sidelined due to a heel problem.