The Lakers and Knicks will meet Sunday afternoon in the second of a NBA doubleheader on ABC. When Los Angeles takes the floor, it will be without its longtime superstar forward.
LeBron James was ruled out of Sunday’s contest with a recent injury and pre-existing condition. The 41-year-old has struggled with his health throughout the 2025-26 season, playing just 44 of a possible 63 games. When James has played, he has been productive, conjuring up points, rebounds and assists at an impressive rate — albeit not at the same level he did during his younger years.
In his stead, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves will look to lead the Lakers to a win. They certainly need it; a win would put Los Angeles within 1.5 games of the third-place Rockets.
Here’s the latest on James’ status for Sunday afternoon.
Is LeBron James playing today?
James is inactive for the Lakers’ game against New York, according to ESPN’s Malika Andrews. He was listed as a game-time decision prior to the contest but was summarily ruled out with a left elbow contusion and left foot arthritis.
Andrews reported that James looked good during his morning workout. But his left foot arthritis flared up following his ailment, prompting Los Angeles to rule its talisman out. He is considered day-to-day with his malady.
LeBron James was the first player in the arena at 7:45 AM and looked good in his on-court work. His left foot arthritis, something he’s dealt with on and off, didn’t respond to treatment after the workout and ultimately James was ruled out, I’m told. He is day-to-day. pic.twitter.com/qjDwiaQFoP
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) March 8, 2026
LeBron James injury update
James suffered an elbow contusion late Thursday night after taking a fall in Los Angeles’ loss to the Nuggets. He was briefly taken out of the contest following the fall before returning into the game with two minutes left. He was removed once more with 22.3 seconds left after the Lakers’ deficit swelled to five.
Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick said James was removed from the game due to discomfort in his elbow. He was seen icing his elbow following the fixture and reportedly sported a compression sleeve on his left arm on the plane back to Los Angeles, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
James sat out the Lakers’ duel with the Pacers on Friday. He’s been dealing with left foot arthritis throughout the year, missing earlier matchups against the Spurs and Kings as a result of the diagnosis.
LeBron James 2025-26 season stats
- 21.4 points per game
- 5.6 rebounds per game
- 7.0 assists per game
- 1.1 steals per game
- 0.6 blocks per game
- 3.0 turnovers per game
- 50.4 percent field goal shooting
- 31.3 percent 3-point shooting
- 74.5 percent free throw shooting
