Following another losing game against the Dallas Mavericks with 128-110, the Los Angeles Lakers are officially on the 11th seed of the Western Conference, which means that they are off of the playoffs season.
In this critical situation, neither LeBron James nor Anthony Davis is likely to be available. The Lakers’ next game is scheduled to go against the Utah Jazz on Thursday. However, James is out and Davis’ status is still questionable. The Lakers face an uncertain predicament.
LeBron James
James left the Lakers since Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans after stepping on Jaxson Hayes’ foot. The four-time NBA champion rolled his ankle and returned to Los Angeles amid his injury. It was announced on Wednesday by the team.
As a result, James is confirmed that he will not play in the Lakers’ next game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday in Salt Lake City. The four-time NBA Finals MVP has averaged a career-high 30.1 points, 35.9% in triples, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 55 games this season. With James being sidelined, the Lakers might experience a struggle during the game, given that James has always made one of the biggest contributions in every game.
It is still unknown how long the 37-year-old will return, but a few NBA analysts followed James’ career closely. He is ESPN Brian Windhorst. During his performance on Get Up, amid the Lakers’ serious injury reports, Windhorst laid out a four-year cycle that defined the NBA player’s career since James’ first departure from the Cavaliers.
“LeBron’s career operates in four-year increments. He wears his team out. I call it organizational fatigue,” Windhorst said. “It happened the first time in Cleveland. They ran out of draft picks, they had a bunch of guys in their mid-30s. Shaq close to the finish line, Antawn Jamison.”
King James wanted a different experience outside of Cleveland back then and he decided to go to Miami.
“He goes to Miami, four years, great run, they run out of draft picks. In his last game, three guys retired after the game. He goes to Cleveland, four years, great run. They run out of draft picks. They got old guys. Here we are in L.A., fourth year. The oldest team we’ve seen in NBA history, they’re out of draft picks, they’re exhausted.”
The difference now is, Windhorst revealed that LeBron is raising his family in Los Angeles. Therefore, despite rumored wanting to be traded into another team, it may appear that James is not ready to abort the Lakers’ ship.
“I don’t think he wants to move. He wants to have his cake and eat it, too,” Windhorst on Wednesday.
The Lakers are struggling, Lebron is out, but now Davis’ presence is still questionable. Both players missed Tuesday’s losing game against Dallas Mavericks.
Anthony Davis
Davis has not played since February 16. He is still working on a recovery from an ankle injury, although the news surrounding Davis is much more positive than James’.
Apparently, it seems that the 29-year-old will likely not play during the Thursday game, but the latest report indicated Friday as a target date for his return in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The questionable listing leaves open a slim chance that he might play on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the news cycle surrounding Davis is also trade rumors. Earlier this week, Windhorst reported that the Lakers might consider trading AD to a new team, considering that the player has had several injuries.
“I think it’s going to be something that’s going to be discussed,” Windhorst said referring to the Lakers’ potential desire to switch AD.