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The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a virtual must-win Game 6 on Friday evening against the Memphis Grizzlies. They can advance to the next round with a victory.
They do not want to go back to Tennessee for a Game 7, where they would have to deal with the Grizzlies, who have the NBA’s best home record during the regular season, 35-6.
Buy Lakers TicketsThe Lakers failed to put the Grizzlies away on the road in Game 5, and one reason was the fact that reserve guard Luke Kennard sparked the Grizzlies by hitting 2-of-3 from 3-point range in 18 minutes off the bench.
But he suffered a left shoulder injury in that contest, and he will miss Friday’s game.
Memphis Grizzlies say Luke Kennard (shoulder) is out tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) April 29, 2023
Kennard led the league in 3-point accuracy during the regular season at 49.4%, and he has hurt the Lakers in this series by making eight of his 16 attempts from that distance.