Is LeBron James playing tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies? | January 20, 2023
LeBron James and the LA Lakers are looking to bounce back from the loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. The Lakers will face the hot Memphis Grizzlies at home on Friday. The Grizzlies are currently on an 11-match winning streak.
With a 116-111 loss to the Kings, the Lakers now have five games under 0.500 with a 20-25 record. They are currently in 13th place on the Western Conference standings, but only two games behind the last play-in position.
According to the latest injury reports, “The King” has been shortlisted for Friday’s game due to a sore left ankle. James has been treating his injury for weeks, but hasn’t missed a game since January 9 against the Denver Nuggets.
LeBron James has been fantastic this season and even better after turning 38 on December 30 last year. James is averaging 36.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.6 assists in the past eight games.
However, the LA Lakers have struggled in the last 5 games with only 1 win. It came to the lowly Houston Rockets, but it stopped their three-game losing streak.
It should be noted that their losses to the Dallas Mavericks and Philadelphia 76ers are close. It is also filled with suspicious calls that may or may not affect the outcome. However, James will have to continue carrying the Lakers until Anthony Davis returns from a leg injury.
When did LeBron James get his ankle injury?
LeBron James has been suffering from ankle pain for a while. Despite only missing a few games this season, James has continued to manage injuries and rest when needed. But when did “The King” get injured?
inside LA Lakers‘ In a 116-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers this past November 28 at Crypto.com Arena, James accidentally stepped on Tyrese Haliburton’s foot during the first round. He could play for the rest of the game, finishing with 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Four days later in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, LeBron James re-injured his left ankle after Khris Middleton ran it right in a fourth-half game. James fought through the pain and helped the Lakers win. He had 28 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists in their 133-129 win.
Since those two ankle injuries, the four-time champion has missed only four games. He could have rested more if Anthony Davis uninjured to the front leg of the Denver Nuggets on December 16 of last year.
Also read: When Michael Jordan smoked a cigar before his knockout game against the Washington Bullets