Christian

Wood

Wood has not appeared in a game since February 14, so inserting him into a game of this magnitude may have been far-fetched. Lakers coach Darvin Ham stuck with his usual nine-man rotation, which may be the case as long as this series continues. Game 5 is on Monday in Denver.

Wood will be available to play for the first time since before the All-Star break. However, Jaxson Hayes wasn’t in the rotation in Game 3, and they may not want to include Wood in their rotation in an elimination game. He will be available if needed, but he may not see the floor.

Wood has been sidelined for over a month and initially was targeting a return in Game 3. He could end up making his return on Saturday, though he will only see a limited role off the bench.

Wood hoped to return to the hardwood for Game 3 but needs more time to recover from the knee surgery he underwent. Jaxson Hayes will continue backing up Anthony Davis at center in the meantime.

Wood had an arthroscopic procedure in the middle of March on his left knee and has been sidelined since then. He will be out for Game 2 on Monday, but he is expected to be back in the lineup when the series shifts to Los Angeles. He may fill some of the backup center minutes, but he didn’t do much in either of his appearances against Denver this season.

Wood has not appeared in a game since Valentine’s Day. While his absence hasn’t impacted fantasy basketball, it has affected a Lakers rotation that is light on bodies in the post. With the veteran center expected to miss “several weeks,” the question is whether or not he’ll be healthy for the postseason. Jaxson Hayes will continue to serve as Anthony Davis’s backup.

Wood’s absence will not impact fantasy basketball, as he has been on the back end of the rotation most nights when healthy. However, his absence means that the Lakers will lack depth behind Jaxson Hayes, who will be Anthony Davis’s primary backup. Hayes’s minutes are unlikely to increase much (if at all), as Davis is listed as probable and should be cleared to play.

LeBron James has already been ruled out for the Lakers’ second game in as many nights, and Davis isn’t a lock to play. Should he sit, Jaxson Hayes would be the player likely to move into the starting lineup. He would be worth streaming in that spot while fantasy managers in most leagues can afford to leave Christian Wood alone.

Davis has been ruled out for a second consecutive game, leaving a noticeable void in the Lakers’ starting lineup. Jaxson Hayes was the choice to start Tuesday’s loss to the Rockets, but Christian Wood will also pick up additional minutes. With Thursday’s NBA schedule consisting of just four games, they’re worth a roll of the dice as streamers.

Davis went for 23/7/2/2/1 against Houston on Monday, but he’ll be unavailable for the second half of a back-to-back set. If Davis is unavailable, Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt should pick up most of the slack at center, with Jaxson Hayes a candidate to see the court. LeBron James (ankle) is also questionable, which means Wood, Vandy and Hayes could be in line for even bigger roles if James sits.