Editor’s note: This is the Tuesday, February 28, edition of the “Game Day with Kevin Modesti” newsletter. To receive the newsletter in your inbox, sign up here.
Gavin Lux reportedly “heard a pop” in his right knee. LeBron James reportedly “heard a pop” in his right foot. The Dodgers and Lakers could find out that those were the sounds of playoff bubbles bursting.
First, there’s a bunch of transaction news:
And there are other headlines:
There’s no comparing Gavin Lux and LeBron James as athletes, but it’s fair to ask if the Dodgers are much better equipped to handle a long absence for their shortstop than the Lakers would be to deal with a long absence for their superstar.
Lux injured his right knee running between second and third base on a double-play grounder to third in the Dodgers’ spring-training game against the San Diego Padres Monday inPeoria, Ariz. Lux left the field on a cart and the Dodgers announced Tuesday morning he’s likely out for the year with an ACL tear.
James re-injured his right foot driving for a layup in the Lakers’ win over the Mavericks in Dallas on Sunday. He finished the game. But the injury is reported to be serious enough that James could miss weeks instead of days.
For the Lakers, there’s no replacing LeBron, and this could mark the end of their chances of climbing into a playoff spot in the 21 games left in the regular season.
For the Dodgers, Lux is hardly a franchise player, but this could be the most painful reminder possible that their roster looks less resilient than it did going into recent seasons.
All-Star shortstop Trea Turner was one of three everyday starters the Dodgers let go this winter – along with center fielder Cody Bellinger and third baseman Justin Turner – without spending big on the usual squad of new stars. Turner was going to be replaced by moving Lux from second base to the 25-year-old’s natural position at short. Lux’s spot at second would be taken by 23-year-old…
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