Lakers Rule Out LeBron James; Report Says He Could Play Friday

Lakers star LeBron James could try to play in Friday’s home game against the Pelicans, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

This followed a statement from the team that ruled out James for Thursday’s road game against the Jazz and said he was returning to Los Angeles to receive further treatment on the ankle.

James, 37, suffered the injury in Sunday’s loss to the Pelicans and missed Tuesday’s blowout loss to the Mavericks. 

They have also been missing power forward Anthony Davis since Feb. 16, when he sustained a right midfoot sprain. Davis is listed as doubtful for Thursday, but per Wojnarowski, has been progressed to a “game-time decision.”

The Lakers (31-44) sit in 10th place in the Western Conference and are in danger of missing the play-in tournament.

James admitted the ankle felt “horrible” after the game on Sunday. He added that he still hopes to play, as missing games “is not in my nature.”

James finished the game against the Pelicans with 39 points, continuing his season-long scoring tear. But he had just four in the fourth quarter after suffering the injury in the first half.

“It’s tough. It’s just been that kind of season,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “He was just in an incredible groove right around then, and credit him for toughing it out. But you can see he was limited on it somewhat the rest of the way. But he battled through it.”