Game 2 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets averaged 4.25 million viewers across TNT and truTV.

The number is down 2% from last year's Warriors-Kings matchup.

The lead-in game between the Sixers and Knicks averaged 3.47 million viewers.

This year's NBA playoffs is averaging 3.45 million viewers. 

Jarred Vanderbilt is looking to return to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup for Game 3 on Thursday, sources told ESPN.

Vanderbilt, who is out due to a right foot sprain, has been increasing his workout intensity over the last two weeks.

Vanderbilt and Christian Wood have not been cleared for Game 3, though the Lakers are hopeful that both will be back for Thursday.

The Lakers are down 2-0 in the series. 

Jarred Vanderbilt is still day-to-day as he recovers from a foot sprain, according to Darvin Ham.

Vanderbilt, who wore a walking boot on Friday, has been out since February 1 with the injury.

Ham said last week that Vanderbilt's recovery was "going according to plan."

The team also announced that Christian Wood will be available in Game 3. 

The Los Angeles Lakers will have some additional frontcourt help coming in their first round series against the Denver Nuggets. Christian Wood will be available to play for the Lakers when the series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3.

Wood hasn't played since before the All-Star break. He had an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee in mid-March.

Prior to getting hurt, Wood had appeared in 50 games. He averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game off the Lakers bench.

Los Angeles lost Game 1 at Denver on Saturday. Game 2 will be played on Monday, then Game 3 will be in LA on Thursday, April 25.

Tuesday night's Play-In Tournament game between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings averaged 4.05 million viewers across TNT and truTV.

It is the second most-watched game in the history of the Play-In Tournament.

The Lakers' win over the Pelicans earlier in the night averaged 3.91 million viewers.

The two games are the fourth and sixth most-watched of this season. 

The Los Angeles Lakers would have "serious interest" in trading for Trae Young should the Atlanta Hawks decide to make a move, sources told Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.

Sources around the league believe that the Hawks will deal Young this summer, according to Pincus.

The Lakers would have to wait until July to make a deal due to a hard cap at the first apron that expires at the end of June. 

With the Spurs also registering interest, the Pistons are seen as a "wild card" to trade for Young.

Anthony Davis exited the Los Angeles Lakers win over the New Orleans Pelicans early on Sunday. Davis was pushed in the back by Larry Nance Jr. with 5:52 remaining in the game and his back locked up, forcing him to leave early. But Davis said he'll be ready to go when the Lakers and Pelicans run it back in the 7-8 Game of the Western Conference Play-In Tournament.

"No doubt that I'm going to play," Davis said about his availability for Tuesday's postseason game.

Davis finished the regular season with 75 games played and exactly 2700 minutes played. That's the first time Davis has hit those marks since the 2017-18 season, when he starred for the Pelicans.

The Western Conference seeds are set following the end of regular season on Sunday. The first round begins on Saturday, April 20th.

First Round Matchups

• No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 (Pelicans, Lakers, Kings or Warriors)

• No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 7 (Pelicans or Lakers)

• No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 6 Phoenix Suns

• No. 4 LA Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks

Play-In

• No. 7 New Orleans Pelicans vs. No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers

• No. 9 Sacramento Kings vs. No. 10 Golden State Warriors

The New Orleans Pelicans are expected to give the Los Angeles Lakers their first-round pick this year and take the Lakers' first-round pick in 2025, according to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer.

The Pelicans have the option to take one of the Lakers' picks as a result of the Anthony Davis trade.

"People around the league expect that the Pelicans will give the Lakers their pick this year and take the 2025 pick.

"If that’s the case, it’s hard to fathom that Los Angeles would use the pick on Bronny [James]. Rob Pelinka is far more likely to use it to chase Trae Young or another star in a trade," wrote O'Connor.

D'Angelo Russell will likely be a free agent for the second time in two years as he is having a highly productive season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Russell re-signed with the Lakers on a two-year, $37 million deal with Year 2 being a player option. As part of two-year deal, Russell gave up his ability to waive a trade. The Lakers shopped Russell, but they were unable to find a trade partner before the deadline. 

"I think almost certainly he will not pick up the option," said Brian Windhorst on his podcast. "You work your whole life to be coming off a great season and being unrestricted."

Russell is averaging 18.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists while shooting 41.9 percent on three-pointers in 73 games this season.

The Lakers will retain Russell's Bird rights in the offseason.