LeBron James: Deadline day update on ankle injury and recovery time
The Los Angeles Lakers were quiet around the NBA trade deadline today, but have given an update on the status of LeBron James.
No trade deadline moves for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite reportedly showing interest in a few veterans including Kyle Lowry, the Lakers have opted to work with what they have and turn their attention to the buyout market to fill their two empty roster spots.
The Lakers have no moves pending, sources tell ESPN. The trade deadline came and went with the roster unchanged. LAL will now turn its focus to the buyout market and has two open roster spots to fill. Team recognizes health will be ultimate factor in potential success this year
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 25, 2021
LeBron James to miss four to six weeks with his ankle injury
LeBron James suffered a high ankle sprain against the Atlanta Hawks last Saturday. As news around free agency continues to trickle in, the Lakers have released an injury and status update on the King. It doesn’t look good for the purple and gold.
According to The Athletic and Stadium’s Shams Charania, James is expected to miss four. to six weeks due to the injury.
"LeBron James from the time he got hurt last weekend has an expected 4-to-6 week recovery period."
— Stadium (@Stadium) March 25, 2021
Our #NBA Insider @ShamsCharania has the latest on LeBron's ankle injury. pic.twitter.com/NFLU0jEDop
The Lakers haven’t been able to get healthy all year, and this is yet another damaging blow to their efforts. Anthony Davis has appeared in only 23 games for the Lakers this season and has been nursing his injury since January. Now, with James out and a grueling second-half schedule. Los Angeles is currently fourth in the Western Conference with a record of 28-16 but are obviously in danger with James set to miss such a significant amount of time.
This is a crushing blow to the Lakers’ seeding hopes as far as the playoffs go. The Denver Nuggets look much more formidable after the trade deadline, adding Aaron Gordon and the Clippers hope to have solved their point guard problems with Rajon Rondo.
How do you see the regular season shaping up for the Lakers?