LeBron James is dealing with some discomfort. But while it will keep James sidelined for at least one game, the Los Angeles Lakers are optimistic about James’ health.
Shortly before the start of Sunday’s game between the Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles coach Darvin Ham announced that James would not play. But it’s more a matter of caution and trying to help keep James, who will turn 39 in December, healthy through the season.
“Darvin Ham says they don’t want to run LeBron into the ground this early in the season so they are being proactive with his shin/calf issue and sitting him out tonight,” Daniel Starkand of Lakers Nation tweeted on Sunday night. “He is considered day-to-day.”
Darvin Ham says they don’t want to run LeBron into the ground this early in the season so they are being proactive with his shin/calf issue and sitting him out tonight. He is considered day-to-day.
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) November 13, 2023
Sunday will mark James’ first missed game of the season. He’s started each of Los Angeles’ first nine games. In those nine games, James has averaged 35 minutes a night while averaging 25.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocked shots per game.
Entering Sunday’s game in Los Angeles, the Lakers were 3-0 at home but only 4-5 overall. The Blazers, meanwhile, were 3-5 overall and 2-3 on the road.
Sunday is also part of a busy stretch for the Lakers. After hosting Portland, Los Angeles will have a night of, then games on back-to back nights, hosting the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday and Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
[Daniel Starkand on Twitter/X]
