Dennis Schroder ready for play-in game


8LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - MAR. 7, 2023. Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, right, drives to the basket past Memphis Grizzlies forward Xavier Tillman in an NBA game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Mar. 7, 2023. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, right, drives to the basket past Grizzlies forward Xavier Tillman during a game last month at Crypto.com Arena. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Dennis Schroder was on the practice court wearing his Lakers beanie while honing his shot after practice Monday, injuries that kept him out of the last two games a thing of the past. All signs are pointing to the backup point guard being ready for the play-in game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena.

Schroder missed Friday night’s game against the Suns with neck soreness and Sunday’s season-final against the Jazz with right Achilles’ soreness.

The Lakers won both games to finish seventh in the Western Conference, setting them up for the NBA’s play-in tournament against the eighth-seeded Timberwolves. The winner earns the seventh seed in the playoffs and will face No. 2 Memphis on Sunday.

“He’s feeling a lot better,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “Keeping him out last game was more precautionary than anything. So, he’s had a few days to get some treatment. He’s out here on the court now going through some stuff. But he’s going to be fine. We look forward to having him back in the lineup.”

Unlike LeBron James (right foot soreness), Anthony Davis (right foot stress injury) and D’Angelo Russell (left foot soreness), who are all listed as probable, Schroder was not listed on the injury report.

The Lakers need Schroder back for all that he brings as a key reserve and when called upon as a starter.

“His defensive intensity [was missed], picking up the ball 94 feet, play-making, his pace,” Davis said after practice. “He gets the ball and he’s flying, which forces the other guys to run, forces us to run. And he was definitely missed for sure. I hope he’s back ready, back healthy to get going tomorrow and then we can pick up where we left off at.”

Lakers’ trio ready to face former team

Now that they are Lakers, Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley will face their former team Tuesday, the Timberwolves full of their friends who will be foes in the play-in game.

Russell was traded to the Lakers by the Timberwolves in February. Vanderbilt and Beasley were traded last summer by the Wolves to Utah, which shipped the pair to the Lakers in February.

That makes for an interesting subplot.

“I mean, not the fact that they traded me has anything to do with it, but the fact that they are in the way of what we’re trying to get done, I mean, that’s all that really matters to me, honestly,” Russell said after Sunday’s game. “Trying to prepare mentally now for that, because obviously it’s a big game and it matters. It takes a lot, so just trying to get that win by any means.”

Vanderbilt, the Lakers’ multi-facet versatile defender, has been more than willing to share tips on what the Timberwolves like to do.

“I’ve been there, so I know what they like to get to,” he said. “I know those…

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Read More: Dennis Schroder ready for play-in game 2023-04-11 02:02:00

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