LeBron James May Miss Tuesday Rematch vs Bucks

The accidents are mounting up for the Los Angeles Lakers. All-NBA Los Angeles small ahead LeBron James could miss his crew’s second and ultimate common season sport of the yr towards the Milwaukee Bucks. Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, the 20-time All-Star has been listed as uncertain to swimsuit up for LA on account of a left ankle peroneal tendinopathy.

Lakers record LeBron James (ankle) as uncertain to play Tuesday vs. Bucks.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 25, 2024

James additionally sat out LA’s dwelling sport towards the Bucks on March 8. With out him out there, level guard D’Angelo Russell took on the scoring reins for the Lakers, scoring 44 factors (together with the decisive floater with 5.8 seconds remaining) to safe a 123-122 victory.

The NBA’s newest damage report would not cease there, sadly for LA. 4 different Lakers who’ve develop into mainstays on mentioned damage report stay on the shelf.

Reserve level guard Gabe Vincent stays sidelined following his left knee effusion surgical procedure. The 6-foot-3 vet, inked to a three-year, $33 million take care of the Lakers within the 2023 offseason, has performed simply 5 video games this season together with his new crew, and has successfully been changed in head coach Darvin Ham’s lineups by buyout market signing Spencer Dinwiddie. Vincent is seemingly working in direction of a comeback by the top of the season, although it stays to be seen whether or not or not he can crack his means into the rotation once more.

Backup Lakers large man Christian Wooden underwent a latest left knee surgical procedure, and remains to be thought of unlikely to return this yr. He was added on a veteran’s minimal contract.

Reserve Los Angeles combo ahead Jarred Vanderbilt, who agreed to a four-year, $48 million contract extension (which can kick in subsequent season) with the Lakers final summer season, remains to be out on account of his lingering proper midfoot pressure. The 6-foot-9 Kentucky product, one among LA’s prime perimeter defenders, has performed in simply 29 contests this yr.

The Lakers will definitely miss The Chosen One if he does certainly have to sit down. Throughout 62 contests with the Lakers this yr (already his most for the reason that crew’s championship run in 2019-20), James is averaging 25.4 factors on .530/.406/.751 capturing splits, 8.1 assists, 7.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 06. blocks an evening. He is the fulcrum of his membership’s offense. With out James out there final time, Darvin Ham opted to raise Dinwiddie right into a three-guard beginning lineup. Another choice may very well be beginning 3-and-D backup combo ahead Taurean Prince.

Two-way Lakers middle Colin Castleton, in the meantime, is on the shelf recovering from a proper wrist fracture. Little-used rookie first spherical decide Jalen Hood-Schifino is recovering from his latest lumbar disc surgical procedure.