Just when it looked like the Lakers’ injury report couldn’t get worse, it has.
The Lakers will have to play against the Thunder without LeBron James, who has been ruled out due to left foot injury management.
The team is already playing without Marcus Smart, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, so now the only starter who will be suiting up for the purple and gold is Deandre Ayton.
The
only good news here for Los Angeles is that this injury is being labeled as left foot injury management. So, it’s just about LeBron getting some rest and not another massive injury to a key player.
After Tuesday’s game, the Lakers have three games left, including a back-to-back. If LeBron resting here means he can play the rest of the way, then that’s probably a smart move.
Still, LeBron missing this game doesn’t make winning any easier.
With Dončić and Reaves out, the Lakers have been relying on James even more.
He ran the entire offense for LA in their game against the Mavericks, and he played well. It’s going to be extremely difficult for Lakers head coach JJ Redick to find LeBron’s level of production with the players he has left available.
Perhaps Luke Kennard can have another triple-double, or Rui Hachimura goes berserk from deep to keep the Lakers in this one.
Considering that OKC just blew out LA when they were fully healthy a week ago, this doesn’t look like a game the Lakers can win.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
