LA Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks predicted starting lineups and depth chart for Dec. 6 | 2024-25 NBA season
The LA Lakers will cap off a four-game road trip with a matchup against the surging Atlanta Hawks on Friday. LA, coming off a 134-93 loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday, hopes to end a two-game losing slump. LeBron James’ status is iffy heading into the game as he is dealing with left foot soreness.
The Hawks, winners in their last five games, are on a roll. They beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in back-to-back games late in November before fending off the Milwaukee Bucks 119-104 on Wednesday. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley will lead the hosts.
LA Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks: Injury Report
LA Lakers injury report
Several Lakers are ruled out for Friday’s games against the Hawks. Jaxson Hayes (ankle), Jalen Hood-Schifino (hamstring), Christian Wood (knee), Jarred Vanderbilt (surgery recovery) and Austin Reaves (pelvic contusion) are on the inactive list.
Bronny James (heel) and LeBron James (foot) are questionable. Anthony Davis (foot) is in the report with a probable status.
Atlanta Hawks injury report
Cody Zeller is not with the team. Trae Young is probable as he is dealing with right Achilles tendinitis.
LA Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks: Starting lineups and depth chart
LA Lakers starting lineup and depth chart
Atlanta Hawks starting lineup and depth chart
LA Lakers vs Atlanta Hawks: Key matchups
Anthony Davis vs Clint Capela
Anthony Davis had his worst game of the season in LA’s loss to the Miami Heat. The All-Star big man finished with eight points on 3-for-14 shooting on short rest. The Lakers didn’t have a game on Thursday so AD might be back to his usual dominating self.
Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu will try to make life difficult for one of the NBA’s best scorers this season.
LeBron James vs Jalen Johnson
King James, playing in his 22nd season, will face the Hawks’ emerging 22-year-old forward. James regained his shooting touch against the Heat, but he will be taking on another athletic player who is a solid defender.
Johnson will test James, who often looked gassed late in games. It will be interesting to see how the matchup unfolds, particularly for the Lakers, who are desperate for a win.
Trae Young vs D’Angelo Russell
Without Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell will have the unenviable task of guarding Trae Young. Atlanta’s offense is heavily reliant on Young’s playmaking and scoring. LA will have a good chance of winning if Russell can slow down Ice Trae. If the opposite happens, the Lakers will be hard-pressed to beat the Hawks.