Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia is questionable for Friday’s home game against the Clippers because of a right ankle sprain.
The injury was listed on the NBA’s official report released Thursday evening. LaRavia did not play the final minutes of Wednesday’s season-opening 127-105 victory over the Golden State Warriors after going down late in the fourth quarter.
The sprain occurred with 5:34 remaining and the Lakers leading 116-83. LaRavia appeared to roll his right ankle while moving across the floor, needed assistance leaving the court and did not return.
Before exiting, the 24-year-old scored 10 points on 4-for-5 shooting, including two 3-pointers, with two rebounds and two assists in 18 minutes. He finished plus-14.
Lakers coach JJ Redick offered a measured update after the game.
“No update… I’m probably more positive than when it first happened, but again, he’ll be evaluated,” Redick said.
Redick also described LaRavia’s overall value to the group.
“We have a group of guys who do a lot of things that impact winning that don’t necessarily show up in the box score… He’s a winning player,” Redick said.
LaRavia appeared in all 82 games last season, starting 43 of them. He averaged 8.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists while logging 25.1 minutes per game. His ability to defend multiple positions and contribute without needing constant usage has given the Lakers a flexible piece alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves on a roster that underwent significant changes over the summer.
The Lakers’ opening-night win featured strong performances from several key players. Walker Kessler scored 26 points on perfect 12-for-12 shooting with nine rebounds in his debut, Doncic added 28 points and Reaves scored 23.
Cameron Carr remains out with a right oblique strain and Adou Thiero is sidelined by swelling in his left knee. Collin Sexton, who missed Wednesday’s opener with a right calf issue, is no longer on the injury report and is available to make his season debut Friday.
If LaRavia is unable to play, the Lakers could lean on Quentin Grimes for additional wing minutes or give more run to Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle. Sandro Mamukelashvili could also see expanded frontcourt opportunities depending on matchups.
Those adjustments would test the depth of a rotation still taking shape in the early season. Replacing LaRavia’s combination of size, activity and positional flexibility is not as simple as inserting another scorer.
Friday’s matchup at Crypto.com Arena marks the first of two meetings between the Lakers and Clippers in a short stretch. Both teams enter at 1-0 after opening-night wins.
LaRavia will be re-evaluated ahead of tipoff. His status remains the primary variable for a Lakers team looking to build on its first victory of the 2026-27 campaign.
