Luke

Kennard

Smart’s absence on Tuesday will mark his eighth straight. With injuries to Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and now Smart, the Lakers’ backcourt depth is being tested. Luke Kennard and Jake LaRavia could start and see extended minutes, yet again.

In defeat, Kennard had the most productive all-around game of his NBA career. Finishing with his first triple-double, the Lakers’ guard finished Sunday’s defeat with a new career-high in rebounds. This was Kennard’s first game with at least 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Lastly, according to Law Murray of The Athletic, he had never recorded a 10-rebound game and a 10-assist game in the same season. Performances like Sunday’s are highly unlikely to become the norm for Kennard, but injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves raised his ceiling for managers whose leagues are active in Week 24.

Already without Marcus Smart, the Lakers will have to finish the regular season without Luka Dončić (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) over the next 10 days. As a result, Kennard and Hachimura move into the starting lineup, and both are worth streaming due to the Lakers’ lack of depth.

Reaves was injured early in Thursday’s loss to the Thunder. While he continued to play through the injury, the Lakers’ guard appeared to be a shell of himself. With Saturday’s update, the Lakers will finish the regular season without two of their best players, as Luka Dončić (hamstring) was also injured on Thursday. Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard should take on bigger roles within the rotation, with one moving into the starting lineup.

Kennard was one of many Lakers to produce offensively against the Wizards. He accounted for more than half of Los Angeles’ total three-pointers on the evening and finished as one of the team’s top scorers. Kennard is enjoying another strong shooting season from beyond the arc. He doesn’t often provide much impact elsewhere, however. Still, he’s capable of some big nights if he gets enough shots up from deep.

Dončić is dealing with a sore left hamstring. If he can’t play against the Nets, the Lakers will look for more playmaking from Austin Reaves and LeBron James. As for the spot in the starting lineup, Luke Kennard is a potential replacement, especially if Rui Hachimura remains out.

Hachimura was initially listed as questionable, but he will miss a second straight game with this calf injury. Luke Kennard should once again fill out the majority of the wing minutes off the bench.

The pair of Lakers will be out as the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed tries to snap LA’s nine-game win streak. In their places, expect Jake LaRavia and Luke Kennard - fresh off his game-winner against the Magic - to see additional playing time.

Smart is dealing with a sore right ankle, casting some doubt on his availability for Monday’s game. If he can’t play, Jake LaRavia would be asked to move into the starting lineup, giving him some streaming value in deep leagues. Luke Kennard would also pick up additional opportunities if Smart sits.

While Reaves was also questionable ahead of Thursday’s win over the Heat, that was due to a forearm injury. His appearance on the injury report for Saturday is due to a sore left hip. Luke Kennard is the likely replacement in the starting lineup if Reaves can’t play.