LeBron James, arguably the face of the NBA, has been listed by the LA Lakers as probable for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers. LA sidelined him on the second night of a back-to-back on Wednesday in Toronto.
He is on the injury list due to a sore left foot, which has been his status for over a week already.
The four-time NBA MVP last played on his return to Cleveland when he played for 36 minutes. He led his team in scoring (21), rebounds (17) and assists (4) in a losing effort without Anthony Davis.
James has played 17 of the LA Lakers’ 24 games this season. He is averaging 25.8 points, career-high 9.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists. “King James” has accepted his role as Robin to Anthony Davis’ Batman for the Lakers.
Barring any significant setback to his sore left foot, LeBron James should be available tonight in Philly.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis has been upgraded to probable as well. AD missed the Lakers’ last game due to flu-like symptoms and played just eight minutes against the Cleveland Cavaliers last Wednesday.
Davis, who was named the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Week, played like an MVP before the flu. He has been putting up numbers that will push him into the best player in the league conversation if he can sustain it.
Anthony Davis is averaging 27.3 points, an NBA-best 12.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks this season. Like LeBron James, he is expected to return to action for the LA Lakers tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Joel Embiid is not on the 76ers’ injury report, so tonight should be a slam-bang affair between two of the NBA’s elite big men.
Donovan Mitchell: Right lower leg soreness; Injured since December 6, 2022
#Cavs Kevin Love (lower back soreness) is OUT tomorrow against Sacramento. Donovan Mitchell (right lower leg soreness) is QUESTIONABLE.
It remains unclear how sore Mitchell’s leg is and will be monitored during the Cavs’ morning shootaround. If the discomfort persists, he could miss just his third NBA game this season.
Caris LeVert, Cedi Osman and Isaac Okoro could see their minutes go up if Mitchell is sidelined.
Dejounte Murray: Left ankle sprain; Injured since December 7, 2022
Hawks All-Star Dejounte Murray is expected to miss two weeks with a left ankle sprain, sources tell me and @sam_amick. Atlanta now has Murray, John Collins (ankle) and De’Andre Hunter (hip) sidelined.