Los Angeles Lakers have taken a nosedive in the Western Conference table following the simultaneous injuries suffered by Anthony Davis and LeBron James. While Davis is up and running, the high ankle sprain has definitely taken a toll on the former MVP which will impact his form and availability with the playoffs not far away.
After a six-week injury layoff, LeBron James returned back to action against Sacramento Kings. The injury continued to trouble him as he proceeded to sit out towards the end of their next game against Toronto Raptors. During the win over Denver Nuggets, he was altogether missing from the team.
The four-time winner is expected to sit out the crucial fixtures against Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers as well, and sources claim that this trend could well move into the playoffs as well.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski claimed that James is unlikely to be fully fit in time for the playoffs and will have to play through the discomfort.
“I think [LeBron] is going to try to play again in the regular season. … He probably can’t get [the ankle] fully healthy until the offseason. He’s going to have to play with discomfort in the playoffs.”
LeBron James crucial in Lakers’ bid to defend title
The Western Conference franchise have struggled without the presence of James on the court. With a 37-28 record, the Lakers dangerously lie sixth in the conference table, only marginally away from the play-in tournament.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel admitted that the team will have to make the best of a situation that is far from ideal.
“We’ll see. It’s not an ideal situation,” Vogel said. “Ideally, he’s 100% and has 10 games to get his legs and timing under him. We’re not going to have that situation. So we’re going to make the best of it.”
“We want him back as soon as possible. But we want him back as healthy as possible,” Vogel said of James. “That’s the No. 1 goal. Wherever we end up in the standings, we want him as healthy as possible going into the playoffs. Other than that, we’re just going to compete and try to win as many games down the stretch here.”
LeBron has himself admitted that getting back to 100% is impossible at this stage of his career, playing his 18th season.
Also Read:
