Lakers’ LeBron James Expected To Play Against Cavs

Lakers star LeBron James is expected to play Friday vs. the Cavaliers at the Staples Center, per multiple reports.

James is officially listed on the injury report as “questionable” after missing the previous two games with right ankle soreness. The Lakers (2-3) are coming off a road loss to the Thunder, a game in which LA blew a 26-point lead.

Meanwhile, James’ former team has won three straight, including two in a row on its current swing through the Western Conference. (Related Cavs dribbles.)

James, 36, had the ankle stepped on by Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane during their game Sunday when Bane attempted a layup midway through the second quarter.

“The first thing I was thinking to myself was, ‘Not again,’ because it was kind of similar but not the same kind of play, a guy falling onto my leg, and there’s nothing you can do about it,” James said.

“I couldn’t get my leg out of there in time, so just wanted to try to take a moment on the floor, hopefully it wasn’t getting worse.”

Later in the same game, James took a scary spill under the basket after leaping in an effort to finish a failed alley-oop attempt.

James, 36, is averaging 26.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in three games. He finished with 19 points vs. the Grizzlies.

Forward/guard Isaac Okoro and guard Kevin Pangos are listed as out for the Cavs (3-2).