LeBron James injury update: The Los Angeles Lakers, a powerhouse in the NBA, have recently found themselves in a tough spot. Since early January, the team has hosted games at the Crypto.com Arena, but their performance has been less than stellar.
Their recent record shows only five wins in the last twelve games, highlighting the struggles the team has faced. Notably, their performance has dipped significantly in the absence of their star player, LeBron James, who has been sidelined due to an ankle injury.
The Specifics of LeBron James’ Absence
LeBron James, a name synonymous with basketball excellence, has been out of action due to peroneal tendinopathy in his left ankle. This injury has caused him to miss crucial games, including the recent match against the Utah Jazz, which the Lakers played without their key forward. James’ absence is keenly felt, as evidenced by the Lakers’ standing at No. 11 in the Western Conference, with 19 wins and 21 losses.
LeBron James’ Injury and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Performance
The LA Lakers’ dependence on LeBron James is clear from their performance in games he missed. Despite D’Angelo Russell’s exceptional 39-point performance, the team has struggled, particularly in matches against the Jazz, where James‘ absence was noticeable. The team lost three critical games to the Jazz during this period, with James on the sidelines.
Last night, Klay Thompson passed LeBron James for 7th on the NBA's all-time threes list.
LeBron James career threes attempted:
6761Klay Thompson career threes attempted:
5651Klay could miss his next 1,109 attempts and still have a higher 3PT% than LeBron
Same # of rings too pic.twitter.com/cCG8eQJo2g
— Klaymuse (@klaymuse) January 14, 2024
King James’ Season So Far
Remarkably, LeBron James has missed only a few games this season. However, his absence has significantly impacted the Lakers’ gameplay. In the 40 games played this season, the team has experienced recurrent losses, emphasizing the need for James’ presence on the court.
In games where James sat out, such as against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the San Antonio Spurs, the team’s performance varied, managing a win against the Spurs but facing a loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
