The Los Angeles Lakers can see the finish line for the 2024-25 NBA season. Before they officially cross it, there is one crucial task left to accomplish. The good news is that task may get a helping hand.
The Lakers' win over the Dallas Mavericks put them in the driver's seat when it comes to locking down the third seed in the Western Conference. Los Angeles only needs to win one of their last two games to officially lock down their positioning ahead of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
The ideal scenario would for the Lakers to win the first of those two games so they can give their stars plenty of rest ahead of the postseason. No one needs reminding that one of the two key superstars in Los Angeles is 40 years old.
"Any time you get some rest, especially for myself...I'll take it," LeBron James said after the Lakers ensured they would avoid this year's Play-In Tournament.
The last two competitors the Lakers need to worry about in the regular season will be the Houston Rockets on Friday, followed by the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. There has been some indication that would have one believe that Los Angeles will get a break in the first of those two clashes.
Rockets' injury report looks promising for Lakers
The Rockets are one of the two teams locked into the Western Conference Playoffs that have nothing to play for. No matter what happens in these final games of the regular season, Houston will be the second seed in the conference.
For those feeling hopefully about the idea of the Rockets resting some key players against the Lakers on Friday, that may actually come to fruition.
Houston has one player confirmed to be out for the matchup. That would be Jae'Sean Tate, who will miss the matchup due to right ankle soreness. The list of questionable players is where this gets interesting for the Lakers.
Alperen Sengun (personal reasons), Jabari Smith Jr. (left groin soreness), and Fred VanVleet (right ankle soreness) have all received that designation. If none of those three players suit up, the Lakers would have a much easier time wrapping up the third seed before their final game of this campaign.
Los Angeles has indicated having every intention of doing aiming for just that. Maxi Kleber remains out as the German big man continues to work his way back from right foot surgery. James (left groin strain) is the only other Laker on the injury report. The four-time champion is listed as probable.
If things play out the way all Lakers fans will hope they can, their spot in the NBA Playoffs can be secured before the weekend, and that is something everyone rooting for this team's success wants.
