The Los Angeles Lakers recently faced a challenging six-game road trip after securing several wins at home. This journey out east is crucial for them as the Western Conference standings have been fiercely competitive throughout the 2023-24 with LeBron James leading from the front. The Lakers are diligently working to enhance their position in the Play-In Tournament, currently holding onto the ninth seed.
However, with only 10 games left in the regular season, there’s a possibility they could slip out of the Play-In Tournament picture altogether. One of the critical factors affecting the Lakers’ performance is the injury situation. While Anthony Davis has been relatively available, LeBron James has been dealing with a persistent foot/ankle injury, which has kept him on the injury report for a significant part of the season.
LeBron James explains how he manages his injuries
LeBron James has been dealing with an injury throughout the season, which caused him to miss the game against the Milwaukee Bucks after being listed as doubtful. James shared his strategy for managing his ankle injury moving forward during the game, as Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report reported.
“I need to be strategic and smart in how I handle my ankle/foot for the rest of the season to reach the finish line,” James said. “Whatever that may entail.”
In his pregame press conference with Spectrum SportsNet, Coach Darvin Ham elaborated on the decision to sit James out against Milwaukee.
“It’s a day-to-day approach based on how he feels,” Ham explained. “He’s been experiencing some discomfort, so we decided to rest him and assess his condition tomorrow.”
Ham also refrained from guaranteeing James’ availability for upcoming games, including the one against the Memphis Grizzlies. “We’re taking things one game at a time,” Ham said. “I don’t want to make false promises or mislead anyone. It depends on how he feels. After the last game, he felt significant discomfort and received constant treatment. We’ll have an update in the morning.”
Given LeBron James’ history of prioritizing his physical well-being, the Lakers trust that he knows how to manage his body to be ready when needed.
Latest update on LeBron James ankle injury
The Los Angeles Lakers eagerly anticipate their star player’s return on Wednesday night as they strive to secure a spot in the playoffs. According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, LeBron James is set to make a comeback from an ankle injury in Wednesday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. He sat out Tuesday’s thrilling overtime victory against the Milwaukee Bucks due to ankle soreness.
LeBron has been managing ankle soreness for quite some time now, and he mentioned to TNT and Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes via text message on Wednesday that he needs to handle the injury strategically for the rest of the season.
“I need to be smart and strategic in managing my ankle/foot for the rest of the season to reach the finish line,” LeBron James stated. “Whatever obstacles may come.”
Haynes had previously reported that James would likely play in Wednesday’s game against the Grizzlies. With the Lakers working for a playoff spot, they must consistently have James on the court. Currently ranked ninth in the Western Conference with a 40-32 record, they are just two games behind the seventh-place Sacramento Kings.
At 39 years old, LeBron James remains a key factor in the Lakers’ success alongside Anthony Davis, consistently delivering impressive performances in his 21st NBA season. Across 62 games, he’s averaging 25.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.1 assists, shooting 53.0 per cent from the field and 40.6 per cent from beyond the arc.
As the regular season winds down with 10 games left, LeBron’s health will be a focal point for the Lakers as they aim to secure their playoff berth. If he misses any games going forward, the responsibility to lead the team to success will fall heavily on Davis and players like Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell.
How do you think Lebron James will react to this issue for the team? Let us know in the comment section below; we would love to hear about it.
