Los Angeles Lakers suffered a fresh blow during their loss against Atalanta Hawks at the Staples Center. LeBron James was only involved in 11 minutes of action and subsequently left the floor after suffering an ankle injury.
Early into the second quarter with the Hawks marginally leading, James was injured while fighting for a loose ball on the court. Hawks’ Solomon Hill, clearly off-balance, fell right on James’ ankle. The four-time winner was instantly down on the floor and clutching his ankle in pain.
Despite the setback, he was still involved in the game. He kept playing with the injured ankle to score a three-pointer before heading back to the locker room to treat the injury. Check out the video below:
Shortly after, the Lakers announced that he won’t be returning back to the court as he was headed for scans on the ankle. While the X-Rays failed to show any damage, the MRI scans were conclusive enough to diagnose James’ injury as a high ankle sprain. As a result of this injury, sources claim that the player is ruled out indefinitely.
“Nothing angers and saddens me more than not being available to and for my teammates! I’m hurt inside and out right now, The road back from recovery begins now. Back soon like I never left.” James wrote
LeBron James’ injury a huge blow for Lakers
Already without Anthony Davis among their ranks due to injury, the absence of LeBron will have a huge impact on Lakers’ Western Conference ambitions.
The likes of Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell will have to step up as the franchise step into a phase without both of their ace players.
Anthony Davis’ return might take three more weeks while there is no time frame regarding the MVP candidate’s return to the side.
While Lakers coach Frank Vogel had little to say regarding the injury, power forward Harrell claimed that Solomon Hill was not making a basketball play while diving into James.
“We don’t feel like it was one of those basketball-type plays. He had to go through his leg to get the ball. Says he didn’t think he intend to hurt James but that it’s something that the league should look at,” Harrell stated following their 94-99 loss to Atalanta Hawks.
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