Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest injury update for Lakers vs. Trail Blazers

Even with their dramatic roster makeover at the trade deadline, the Lakers need every win they can get. Will LeBron be available to help them tonight?

Even with the optimism and good vibes of a busy NBA trade deadline, the Lakers are in a fairly dire position. They’re currently 26-31 and only two teams in the Western Conference have a worse record, both of whom are outright tanking.

The Lakers are a full two games out of the final play-in spot and FiveThirtyEight’s projection model gives them just a TK chance of still making the playoffs. Basically, they can’t afford to drop any winnable games, especially against teams like the Portland Trail Blazers who are just ahead of them in the standings.

Will LeBron James be available to play against the Portland Trail Blazers?

LeBron is listed as questionable on the official injury report, dealing with left ankle soreness. He has sat out the Lakers’ last two games — a loss to the Bucks and a win over the Warriors — and tonight may be our first chance to really see him with all the Lakers’ new players.

Mo Bamba has yet to join the Lakers but he could be making his debut tonight as well. D’Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt were great in the win over the Warriors, combining for 27 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists on 11-of-19 from the field. Rui Hachimura, who was traded for a few weeks before the deadline, has been averaging 11.8 points and 6.2 rebounds since joining the Lakers, shooting 48.2 percent from the field.

Of course, all of these players were brought in to complement LeBron and Anthony Davis so if the Lakers’ stars can’t get healthy it might not matter.

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