Hi, this is Tania Ganguli, Lakers beat writer for the L.A. Times, here with your weekly newsletter.
The Rockets might have been an opponent with some intrigue under different circumstances. But neither Brandon Ingram nor Rajon Rondo — the two Lakers who were suspended after fighting with Chris Paul (who was also suspended) during the teams’ last meeting — are making the trip. Ingram is still sidelined with a left ankle injury, and Rondo is set to see a specialist this weekend to evaluate his broken hand.
What happened the last time these two teams met was a little bit unusual in the NBA today.