After wrapping up the third seed in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers have one regular-season game remaining, which will take place on Sunday versus the Portland Trail Blazers on the road. Claiming that third seed has earned them, at least in theory, a somewhat easier first-round playoff opponent, as well as home-court advantage in at least one round of the playoffs.
It will also mean an extended rest period before their first playoff game. In three of the previous four seasons, L.A. had to go through the play-in tournament, but this year, they can sit back, rest, relax and watch as the play-in tourney takes place instead of participating in it.
That extended rest period has already started for several Lakers players. LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Dorian Finney-Smith, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves will definitely not play on Sunday, while center Jaxson Hayes, forward Jarred Vanderbilt and guard Gabe Vincent are listed as questionable.
Lakers injury report for Game 82 of 82 on Sunday in POR: pic.twitter.com/57csnsLUR2
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 13, 2025
The outcome of Sunday's game won't matter, but the team may still end up winning it. Portland has a 35-46 record, which means it will not reach the play-in tournament, and at least three of its starters will not play on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: How many Lakers players will sit out Sunday's game vs Trail Blazers?
