LeBron’s stomach and AD’s eye put Warriors in control of their own destiny

Anthony Davis re-injured his eye in the first quarter of Sunday’s 127-117 loss to Minnesota. With LeBron James staying home with a stomach bug, the Timberwolves were able to beat the starless Lakers, despite 30 points from Rui Hachimura and 19 from Jaxson Hayes.

Coupled with the Warriors’ 118-110 win over Utah with Steph Curry resting, the Lakers’ lead over their rivals to the north dropped to a game and a half. But the Warriors have an extra game to play, and if they can beat the Lakers on Tuesday, they’ll have the tiebreaker from winning the season series, 3-1.

That means that if the Warriors win out, they’ll host a potential 9-10 play-in game. There’s an outside chance they could even pass Sacramento to get to the eight seed, though after the Kings blew out the Nets Sunday by 30 points, the Warriors would need Sacramento to go 1-3 to close the season.

James should be good to go Tuesday, as will Curry. Andrew Wiggins should return for Golden State, and the Lakers are “optimistic” Davis will be available.

Davis originally hurt his eye Mar. 16 during a 128-121 loss to the Warriors. The Lakers big man hasn’t worn goggles to protect his eye, and now eye damage may have cost his team two games. If he’s not seeing right by Tuesday, it could cost them a home play-in game.

Meanwhile the Warriors clinched at least tenth place when Houston lost to Dallas. The team celebrated with a social media post that seemed rather sad in its low expectations, considering the team won a title two years ago.

Still, a top-nine seed would be better than a top-10 seed, especially since no 10-seed has ever made it out of the play-in. The Lakers’ tummy trouble and eye problems have given the Warriors the chance to grab it.