Rescheduled Matchup With Clippers Gives Lakers Unfavorable Schedule in April
By Jackson Thompson
The tragic death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna has resulted in three changes in the Lakers' April schedule. After the matchup against the Clippers was postponed in order to let Los Angeles mourn, and now the NBA has officially rescheduled that game, moving it to April 9.
The only problem, the Lakers were originally scheduled to play the Golden State Warriors on April 9, so that game has been moved to April 7. Well, the Lakers also play April 8 against the Bulls, forcing them into the undesirable situation of playing in a back-to-back-to-back.
Lakers-Clippers game that was postponed because of Kobe and Gianna Bryant’s passing is rescheduled for April 9. Lakers will play three games on consecutive nights. Lakers haven’t done that since lockout shortened season in 2011-12 pic.twitter.com/RgIrd7ngmD
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) February 21, 2020
Three games in as many days is a tall task for any team, but to do so at the tail end of an 82-game season is excruciating, especially when the Lakers will have their sights set on the postseason.
Furthermore, unless the Lakers and Clippers are battling for seeding in the West, this matchup has now lost some of its attraction. Pitting two conference giants against one another in April simply doesn't have the same effect as it would in January.
The January 28 game vs. the Lakers, which was postponed, has been rescheduled for April 9 at 7:30PM/pt.
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 21, 2020
The team’s home game vs. the Bulls originally scheduled for April 8 will now be played on April 6 at 7PM/pt. pic.twitter.com/k5OodQ1VZu
Of course, the loss of Bryant will likely be the focal point of the game, and fans in Los Angeles will be able to unite under one roof, regardless of what team they support, to pay their respects to the fallen legend.