Warriors (44-31) vs. Lakers (38-37) at Crypto.com Arena on April 3, 2025. This one matters for both teams as they head into the final stretch of the season. The Warriors are trying to lock up playoff positioning in the West, the Lakers are fighting to stay in the play-in. But injuries to key players on both sides will play a big role in the outcome.
Warriors’ Injury Updates: Depth Tested Without Payton II
Gary Payton II (PG)
- Status: Out indefinitely with a torn ligament in his left thumb suffered in the March 25 game against the Miami Heat.
- Impact: Payton’s absence leaves a hole in the backcourt, especially on perimeter defense and energy off the bench. His hustle and defensive tenacity have been huge in close games.
- Replacement: Moses Moody will see more minutes in the guard rotation. He brings shooting and length but will need to step up defensively to fill Payton’s shoes.
Jonathan Kuminga (PF)
- Status: Expected back for Thursday’s game after missing Tuesday’s game with a pelvic contusion.
- Impact: Kuminga’s return is a big boost to the frontcourt depth. He’s athletic and can score, adds versatility to the lineup.
- Contingency Plan: If Kuminga has setbacks, JaMychal Green will see more playing time. Green’s experience and rebounding will be huge in close games.
Lakers’ Injury Updates: LeBron’s Status is Up in the Air
LeBron James (SF)
- Status: Probable – left groin.
- Impact: LeBron is the key to the Lakers’ offense and leadership. He’s the one who can create for himself and others and often swings the game in L.A.’s favor.
- Backup: If LeBron can’t play, Troy Brown Jr. will likely start. Brown’s defensive versatility and occasional scoring will be big if needed.
Anthony Davis (PF)
- Status: None – expected to play.
- Impact: AD is the anchor of the Lakers’ defense and offense. His presence in the paint and shot-blocking is nearly impossible to replace.
Christian Wood (PF)
- Status: Out – left knee surgery recovery.
- Impact: Wood’s absence hurts the Lakers’ frontcourt scoring. His shooting has been missed.
- Backup: Rui Hachimura will continue to start at power forward. Hachimura’s mid-range game and physicality is solid but he’ll need to step up more in Wood’s absence.
Recent Team Performance and Storylines
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors come in on a high, having won 11 of their last 15 games. That winning streak is a testament to Draymond Green being named the NBA’s Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month. But the absence of Gary Payton II does leave the Warriors a little thin in the backcourt. Stephen Curry will have to carry the load—and the offense—against a Lakers team that really needs a win. That puts a lot of pressure on him.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers have been all over the map this season. Injuries to LeBron James and Anthony Davis have been a major reason for that inconsistency. When those two are healthy, they can keep the Lakers competitive. But that reliance on them has shown just how thin the team is in depth and on the perimeter defensively. With the play-in tournament on the line, every game is a must-win. That makes this showdown with the Warriors even more critical for L.A.
Who Steps Up Amidst the Absences?
The real question is how those replacements—Moody and Green for the Warriors, Brown and Hachimura for the Lakers—handle the heat when it matters most. That is, when the game is on the line and those players are the ones who must step up in place of Payton II and LeBron James.
If they can do that, the Warriors can keep their momentum going-and maybe even secure that key victory. If not, the Lakers’ playoff hopes might just stay alive.
Can the Warriors maintain their momentum and secure a key victory? Or will the Lakers overcome their injury setbacks to keep their playoff hopes alive?
