The Los Angeles Lakers put on quite a show in Game 3, defeating the Phoenix Suns (109-95) on Thursday night.
However there is some bittersweet news coming out of Lakers Nation concerning starting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Caldwell-Pope is slated to undergo an MRI, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, after a left quad contusion forced him to leave and not return in the third quarter. He sustained the injury colliding with Suns All-Star Devin Booker while playing defense.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will undergo a MRI on Friday to have his left quad examined, sources told ESPN. Game 4 of Suns-Lakers is Sunday at Staples Center.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 28, 2021
The Lakers shooting guard scored five points on 2-4 shooting and was effective on the defensive end.
Defense leads to offense.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 28, 2021
(📺: @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/gn7SDcXArl
After the game, KCP said that he was doing well and would use the time off to heal up before Game 4.
If Caldwell-Pope is unable to go, the Lakers will have options to fill KCP’s spot in the starting lineup. Wesley Matthews played strong defense on Devin Booker and provided two huge 3-pointers in the final quarter to give the Lakers enough cushion to withstand a late Phoenix run. His play was impressive enough that LeBron James mentioned that he deserved the “game ball”.
Other options to get Caldwell-Pope’s minutes are Kyle Kuzma and late-season addition Ben McLemore.
KCP has been struggling from deep in this first round series, shooting only 1-13 from 3-point range in the Lakers first three games.
Los Angeles leads the best-of-seven series with the Suns, 2-1, with a pivotal Game 4 set for Sunday at 3:30 pm EST on ABC.
