The Lakers need LeBron James to play at an MVP level but his knee injury and the team’s lackluster record this season present a scary red flag. Can the Lakers afford for their superstar player-in-waiting to get hurt? What are some solutions as they wait for him back on court?
The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, snapping a four-game losing streak, thanks to LeBron James’ season-high 56 points. The Lakers, however, were forced to return to square one when James’ left knee injury flared again, causing him to miss Monday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, which ended in yet another heartbreaking defeat.
The unpleasant reality continues to smack the organization in the face, despite the four-time league MVP’s efforts to claim he’s an immortal marvel. The Lakers can only hope for the best when it comes to James’ health.
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Father Time is not slowing down LeBron James.
During a game against the Clippers, Lakers forward LeBron James looks on. | Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
If the 2021-22 season has taught us anything, it’s that LeBron James still has enough of gas in the tank to play at an elite level.
He’s having a record season, ranking second in the NBA with 29.4 points per game in his 19th season. His incredible scoring ability has landed him in the NBA record books, such as being the oldest player to score at least 30 points in seven consecutive games.
James also became the oldest player in team history to score 25 points in 23 consecutive games, tying Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor for the longest such stretch. The 18-time All-Star isn’t displaying any signs of wear and tear, but his injured left knee is a source of worry for the Lakers.
The Lakers have an unsettling red flag with LeBron James’ chronic knee troubles.
As impressive as LeBron James’ 56-point performance was, the star forward is suffering from the effects of his heavy exertion.
The 37-year-longstanding old’s knee problem has flared up once again, forcing him to sit out Monday’s game against the Spurs. Due to the need of carrying the club, head coach Frank Vogel stated that James’ tremendous responsibility has pushed him to overwork his body.
“We know it’s always a possibility,” Vogel said of James, per ESPN. “With the big burden that he’s carrying for us this year, we know it’s always a possibility.” “I believe that’s why we’re keeping him listed as doubtful for the next 48 hours to see how he reacts.” And this was simply one of those days when it was important enough to keep him from leaving.”
James’ absence on Monday was his sixth game missed due to the injury, after missing five games in a row earlier this month. If the swelling continues, James is certain to miss Wednesday’s game, according to Vogel.
Worse, the four-time league MVP stated that the knee issue is similar to the high right ankle sprain he sustained last season, which forced him to miss almost two months of action.
Due of his significance to the Lakers making a strong postseason run, James is muscling through the obstacles. This is particularly true for Anthony Davis, who has been sidelined with no definite comeback date. The star striker is fully aware of this, which is why he is pushing through the little setbacks rather than resting properly.
With the Lakers vying for a playoff spot, each of the Lakers’ final 18 regular-season games is crucial. James will try to remain as much as possible on the court, but his knee concerns aren’t going away anytime soon.
LeBron’s health is crucial to the Lakers’ playoff prospects.
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The Lakers, as much as they want to relieve James of some of his responsibilities, are in a situation where they must rely heavily on him.
In Monday’s game against the Spurs, Russell Westbrook sought to shoulder some of that great burden, but he was unable to lead his team ahead. The simple conclusion is that the Lakers need James’ presence on the court in order to compete.
The noteworthy injuries have highlighted the fact that the roster structure has much less leeway than the organization anticipated. Los Angeles has struggled to get consistent performance from its supporting group, and Westbrook’s offensive flaws have only gotten worse.
The Lakers have no option except to make the most of a bad situation and hope that James can continue to lead the team.
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