How short-handed will the Lakers be on Thursday versus the Bucks?

The Los Angeles Lakers will complete a stretch of six games in eight days on Thursday when they host Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. They have won three games in a row, and their defense, after a rough couple of games late last week, is looking stingy again.

However, a fourth straight win seems unlikely. They will be very short-handed on Thursday, as Luka Doncic will sit out in order to manage a nagging ankle ailment he's been dealing with lately.

In addition, Austin Reaves, who has been playing excellent basketball of late, won't play due to an ankle ailment of his own. LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, of course, remain out due to a groin strain and patellar tendinopathy, respectively.

In addition, forwards Dorian Finney-Smith and Jarred Vanderbilt are listed as doubtful for Thursday's contest.

Austin Reaves (right ankle) is out and Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle) and Jarred Vanderbilt (right groin) are also doubtful, the team announced. https://t.co/jA4djt5zc0
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 20, 2025

Head coach JJ Redick said after Wednesday's win over the Denver Nuggets that he'd like his team to have home-court advantage, but that "the basketball gods start messing around with things."

The Lakers currently sit in third place in the Western Conference with a 43-25 record. After Thursday, their next game will be at home on Saturday versus the Chicago Bulls. They will then start a four-game road trip on Monday against the Orlando Magic.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: How short-handed will the Lakers be on Thursday versus the Bucks?

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