This season for the Los Angeles Lakers has been filled with many injuries and key rotational players bouncing in and out of the lineup. It has been a struggle for consistency and for Coach Ham, figuring out rotations has been tough. With the recent skeptical news of Lakers Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and Christian Wood being out for the rest of the season, the Lakers could use any help they can get. After Lakers practice today, Coach Ham spoke to reporters updating Cam Reddish’s return heading into Friday’s matchup against the Philadelphia Sixers.
Lakers News: Cam Reddish Expected to Play Friday
Darvin Ham’s Update on Reddish
With having three days off since their previous matchup win against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, the Lakers have had plenty of rest and practice. After practice today, Coach Ham gave reporters optimistic news regarding Cam Reddish’s current injury status going into Friday’s matchup.
“Cam was able to participate today, and we foresee him playing on Friday. We do anticipate him being available on Friday,” said Ham.
Cam Reddish practiced today, per Darvin Ham, and he's expected to be available vs. the 76ers on Friday.
— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) March 20, 2024
Benefits of Reddish Back on the Floor
The Lakers have had many players out for extended periods of time throughout the season, especially with Cam Reddish. Having Reddish back and available with just over 12 games left in the season can be vital to the remaining push the Lakers need. He gives the Lakers another lengthy, excellent defender that can guard team’s top scorers. Reddish hasn’t been able to provide the best numbers as he’s been sidelined for the majority of the season. But, for the games he’s played, he’s averaged 6.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Numbers don’t always equate to the impact one can have out on the floor. Vanderbilt, whom we still have uncertainty about whether or not he will be back, is a great example. Their stat sheet numbers don’t exemplify the impact and importance they have on both ends of the floor, especially the defensive end.
Momentum Heading into Play-In
According to @sportsreiter, Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent are expected to miss the rest of the season pic.twitter.com/TCR2RVTmJZ
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 19, 2024
Players returning into the lineup for the remaining weeks left until the play-in tournament is huge for the Lakers. Christian Wood has undergone arthroscopic knee surgery, which essentially is to sideline him for the rest of the season. Per Bill Reiter of CBS Sports, Vincent and Vanderbilt alongside Wood, are ruled out for the remainder of the season. Despite this report, there’s still uncertainty regarding Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt’s expected return. These two are making progress, but there is not full clarity as to whether or not the two will be back out on the floor. Getting a player like Reddish back can help offset these uncertainties.
Last Word
Players returning for the purple and gold in the final stretch of the regular season would be a great help. With the current positioning in the Western Conference standings, the Lakers sit in the ninth position. The Warriors are just a game back of the Lakers, while the Lakers are three games back of the sixth seed. With thirteen games remaining, the reinforcements of key rotational players could be the answer to securing a spot in the 2024 playoffs.
