LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, is questionable for Wednesday night’s game between the LA Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans. He has been sidelined in the Lakers’ last three games with a sore left ankle.
The questionable designation doesn’t give much clue as to James’ status. He’s been shaky before, but has managed to play through injuries.
LeBron James last played on February 7 against the OKC Thunder when he became the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. He, too, was questionable before that game, but played a team-high 34 minutes and finished with 38 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Before sitting out three straight games, the newly named NBA All-Star team captain played plenty of minutes. The LA front office is reportedly upset that coach Darvin Ham allowed the 38-year-old James to average 37.1 MPG in his last 10 games.
If the idea was to give James a rest after surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record, then a week’s rest might already have been enough.
If “King James” is still sidelined, Rui Hachimura could continue to take his place in the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid hasn’t been able to shake off nagging pain in his left foot. He has been ruled questionable again when the Philadelphia 76ers take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“The Process” has had the same designation for 10 consecutive games but has been available in every one of them. In the same stretch, he is averaging 31.8 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
Embiid is also shooting 55.0% from the field, including 38.7% from behind the arc. The pain in his left foot has not bothered him when he is on the ground.
The 76ers are 7-3 in their last 10 games and are firmly entrenched in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 37-19 record. They are three games behind the Boston Celtics for the best record in their conference.
The soon-to-be seven-time NBA All-Star is the main reason Philadelphia is keeping up with the Milwaukee Bucks and Celtics. Philly will be at a huge disadvantage against the twin tower combination of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley if Embiid isn’t available.
Zion Williamson: Right hamstring strain; Injured since January 2, 2023
Zion Williamson hasn’t played since Jan. 2 in a 120-111 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. “Zanos” played 28 minutes but still finished with 26 points, six rebounds and seven assists. He strained his right hamstring during that game.
Instead of a three-week layoff, the NBA All-Star will be sidelined for longer as he reportedly aggravated the injury. Williamson was already doing 3-on-3 drills and he was supposed to be evaluated after the All-Star break.
The New Orleans Pelicans have not set a clear timetable for his return.
Anthony Davis: Stress injury to right foot; Injured since December 16, 2022
Anthony Davis, who was left out of the NBA All-Star team, did not play for five and a half weeks due to a stress injury to his right foot beginning December 16. He returned to action on Jan. 25 against the San Antonio Spurs, missing just one of nine LA Lakers games.
Davis has been ruled probable yet again, but is on pace to play his eighth straight game. LA is 1-4 in its last five games and desperately needs to win wins. The Lakers will need Davis to push for at least one starting spot.