LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, was asked about Wednesday night’s game between the LA Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans. He was sidelined for the last three Lakers games due to left ankle pain.
The question mark doesn’t give much indication of James’ status. He was hesitant before, but managed to play through injuries.
LeBron James last played on February 7 against the OKC Thunder when he became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He was also questionable entering that game, but played a team-high 34 minutes and finished with 38 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Before sitting out three consecutive games, the newly minted captain of the NBA All-Star team played heavy minutes. LA’s front office was reportedly upset that coach Darvin Ham allowed the 38-year-old James to average 37.1 MPG over the last 10 games.
If the idea was to give James a break after surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record, then a one-week layoff might have been enough.
If “King James” continues to be sidelined, Rui Hachimura could continue to take his place in the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid couldn’t shake off a nagging inflammation in his left foot. He is again listed as questionable when the Philadelphia 76ers take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“Process” had the same tag for 10 consecutive games, but was available in every one of them. In the same period, he averaged 31.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
Embiid is also shooting 55.0% from the field, including 38.7% from behind the arc. The inflammation in his left foot did not bother him when he was on the floor.
The 76ers are 7-3 in their last 10 games and are firmly entrenched in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 37-19 record. They are three games behind the Boston Celtics for the best record in their conference.
The soon-to-be seven-time NBA All-Star is the biggest reason why Philly keeps pace with the Milwaukee Bucks and Celtics. Philadelphia will be at a loss against the twin-tower combination of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley if Embiid is not available.
Zion Williamson: Right hamstring strain; Wounded since January 2, 2023
Zion Williamson has not played since Jan. 2 in a 120-111 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. “Zanos” played 28 minutes, but still finished with 26 points, six rebounds and seven assists. During that match, he injured his right hamstring.
Instead of a three-week layoff, the NBA All-Star will be out longer than that because he reportedly aggravated the injury. Williamson was already doing 3-on-3 drills and was scheduled to be evaluated after the All-Star break.
The New Orleans Pelicans have not set a clear timetable for his return.
Anthony Davis: right foot stress injury; Wounded from December 16, 2022
Anthony Davis, who was left off the NBA All-Star team, has been sidelined for 5 1/2 weeks with a stress injury to his right foot starting on December 16th. He returned to action last January 25 against the San Antonio Spurs and missed only one of the LA Lakers’ nine games.
Davis has been ruled probable again, but is on track to sit out his eighth straight game. LA is just 1-4 in its last five games and is in desperate need of a string of wins. The Lakers will need Davis to push for at least a playoff spot.