Los Angeles Lakers Lose Two More Players To NBA's Health and Safety Protocols

The Los Angeles Lakers knew they would be missing guard Talen Horton-Tucker for tonight's matchup with the Dallas Mavericks. With Mavs star Luka Doncic set to miss multiple games, the Lakers were likely feeling confident that they could get a win against a team that relies so heavily on Luka's contributions offensively. While the Lakers will most likely have their big 3 of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook together for just the 14th time this season, they will be missing a couple of key bench players on top of the previously mentioned Horton-Tucker.

Both Dwight Howard and Malik Monk have been put into NBA's health and safety protocols as per Mike Trudell.

Howard and Horton-Tucker did not travel with the team to Dallas.

Monk was on the flight, however. The Lakers are making arrangements to get him back to Los Angeles safely. https://t.co/yk0r6XWbcp
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 15, 2021

Both players will be placed into isolation until further notice, and it is currently unknown if either player tested positive for COVID-19, but head coach Frank Vogel did mention that both he and General Manager Rob Pelinka told all players to not only get vaccinated but also get their boosters after the league suggested it.

With Anthony Davis now listed as probable with his knee injury, the Lakers will be relying on a more top-heavy lineup than they have in the recent past. With Davis expected to play limited minutes, LeBron and Westbrook will be sharing the court a lot, and their chemistry will ultimately decide if this Lakers team is a contender ready to compete for a championship or another first-round exit.