The Indiana Pacers will take on the Los Angeles Lakers in the final game of their road trip. This also marks the first time both teams will go head-to-head this season. The last time these two teams met up was last March, which culminated in a Pacers victory. While the Pacers will hope for the same result, they are going up against a drastically different team.
Last week, in one of the biggest shocks in NBA history, the Lakers acquired Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. Doncic, who has not suited up since Christmas Day, has yet to make his Lakers debut. However, he could do so soon.
Here is the full injury report for the Pacers and Lakers.
2/8 Pacers injury report vs. Lakers
- RayJ Dennis (G League) - QUESTIONABLE
- Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) - OUT
- Quenton Jackson (G League) - QUESTIONABLE
- Myles Turner (neck) - OUT
Myles Turner, who survived another year of trade rumors, suffered a concussion during the Pacers' victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. Though he is now listed with a neck injury, Turner will not suit up against the Lakers. In his place, the Pacers will likely start Thomas Bryant.
2/8 Lakers injury report vs. Pacers
- Luka Doncic (calf) - OUT
- Bronny James (G League) - OUT
- LeBron James (ankle) - OUT
- Maxi Kleber (foot) - OUT
- Austin Reaves (elbow) - AVAILABLE
- Mark Williams (trade pending) - OUT
- Christian Wood (knee) - OUT
Luka Doncic will not make his Lakers debut against the Pacers as he is officially listed as out due to a calf injury. The Pacers will not have another opportunity to face Doncic until March.
The Lakers will also be without LeBron James, who is listed as out due to an ankle injury. James has appeared in all but three games for the Lakers this season.
Bronny James, the Lakers' second-round draft choice, will be out because of a G League assignment. The USC alum has appeared in 16 games for the Lakers this season.
Maxi Kleber, who was also included in the Doncic trade, will not make his Lakers debut today either. Interestingly, the Pacers reportedly explored a trade for Kleber just before the trade that sent him to Los Angeles.
Lakers fourth-year guard Austin Reaves was initially in danger of missing today's game against Indiana because of an elbow injury. However, it was announced after pre-game warmups that he will suit up. Reaves is in the midst of his best season, averaging 18.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
In a separate trade, the Lakers acquired Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets. However, he is listed as out due to the trade still pending, and his debut for the team will also have to wait.
Big man Christian Wood has not suited up for the Lakers this season, and he will not do so against the Pacers. He underwent knee surgery in September and remains out with no concrete timetable for his return.
Projected starting lineups
Indiana Pacers
PG: Tyrese Haliburton
SG: Andrew Nembhard
SF: Bennedict Mathurin
PF: Pascal Siakam
C: Thomas Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers
PG: Austin Reaves
SG: Dorian Finney-Smith
SF: Rui Hachimura
PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
C: Jaxson Hayes