Los Angeles Lakers vs Cleveland Cavaliers: preview and player stats (Mar 25, 2027)

Head coach JJ Redick said Friday that Doncic (ankle) is "fine," per Law Murray of The Athletic. The superstar guard exited to the locker room late in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's win over the Bucks due to an apparent right ankle injury and did not return. Doncic can be tentatively placed on the right side of the questionable marker until the Lakers release an official injury report at some point prior to Sunday's matchup in Phoenix.

Reaves (heel) won't undergo imaging and is considered day-to-day ahead of Sunday's game against the Suns, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports. An official designation for Reaves' status will be given Saturday, according to Buha, and head coach JJ Redick also said Reaves has a bruise on his heel. The star guard is enjoying an excellent start to the season and is averaging 24.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game. If he's sidelined, expect Ziaire Williams to start in the backcourt alongside Luka Doncic.

Grimes (finger) said he expects to return to action Sunday against the Suns, according to Ricardo Sandoval of Lakers on SI. Grimes has missed the Lakers' last two games, but it sounds as if he could return to the rotation Sunday. It's unclear whether he'd be a starter, but he'd have a chance if Austin Reaves (heel) isn't cleared. Grimes is averaging 8.0 points per game this season, but that number rises to 17.5 points per game in his two starts.

Sexton did not return to Wednesday's 123-112 win over the Bucks and required stitches to close a cut on his forehead, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports. Sexton knocked noggins with Ryan Rollins, but it sounds like he's avoided a concussion, so he should be able to get out there for Sunday's game in Phoenix. Austin Reaves (heel) also exited Wednesday's game, and if he needs to sit out Sunday, Sexton would have the chance for some extended minutes.

Mobley (toe) is out for Friday's game against the Heat. The star big man took a hard fall late in Wednesday's win over the Knicks, and he's missing his first contest of the season Friday with a sprained toe. With Mobley sidelined, Jaylon Tyson, Meleek Thomas and Mario Hezonja are each viable streaming options.

Merrill (elbow) is listed as out for Wednesday's game against the Knicks. Merrill has battled a lingering elbow issue since the preseason. He will now miss a third consecutive contest, with his next opportunity to suit up coming Friday in Miami. While Merrill is sidelined, Craig Porter, Meleek Thomas and Tyrese Proctor should see more minutes.

Tomlin is set to miss several weeks with a lower back stress reaction, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. This is a tough blow for the forward and there's no guarantee he's cleared right away when he's re-evaluated in three-to-four weeks. Tomlin wasn't projected to crack the rotation ahead of Opening Night and was penciled in to be an emergency depth option.