Lakers head coach JJ Redick entered Friday’s showdown with the Phoenix Suns aware that his squad’s injury list could make them a foe. With Luka Doncic out on a Grade‑2 hamstring strain and Austin Reaves sidelined by a Grade‑2 oblique injury, Redick quipped, “Everybody wants to play us.” The club sits 51‑29, hovering between the No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 seeds as the season winds down.

Entering the final weekend, Los Angeles held the No. 4 slot, a game behind the Denver Nuggets (52‑28) and level with the Houston Rockets (51‑29). The Lakers own the tiebreaker over both rivals, thanks to season‑series victories. Meanwhile, Denver, already tied with OKC for the top seed, rested seven key players Friday, underscoring the league’s broader load‑management trend.

Redick stressed that the team must discover a winning formula and belief before their finale against the Utah Jazz, who entered the game on a ten‑game losing streak. With the Western Conference seedings still fluid, the Lakers aim to solidify their position rather than gamble on opponent fatigue. A victory would lock them firmly in the upper half of the bracket.