Without LeBron, there is no problem.
For the tenth time this season, the Lakers were forced to play without the services of LeBron James. The Los Angeles superstar watched from the sidelines as her team battled Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.
Even with their leading scorer in street clothes, the Lakers held their own against Milwaukee’s talented contingent, taking the game to double overtime before prevailing, 128-124. The victory improved Los Angeles’ record to 40-32.
While the team has been able to overcome James’ absences on multiple occasions, Los Angeles would prefer to have one of the greatest basketball players of all time on the court wearing the purple and gold.
The Lakers currently sit in ninth place in the Western Conference, good enough for one of the play-in spots. But if the Lakers have their sights set on a postseason berth, they’ll want James down the stretch.
Why did James miss Tuesday night’s game against the Bucks? And will he play on Wednesday against the Grizzlies? Here’s more about the Lakers star and what he’s had to say about his injury.
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Why didn’t LeBron James play against the Bucks?
James missed the game against Milwaukee due to an ankle injury, according to TNT’s Chris Haynes.
My @NBAonTNT Report on a text message from LeBron James explaining how he is handling his ankle injury. pic.twitter.com/frSu4hDRJK
– Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 26, 2024
“I have to be very strategic and smart in how I handle the rest of the season with my ankle/foot in order to get to the finish line,” James said in a text message to Haynes. “Whatever line awaits us.”
Is LeBron James injured?
James has been battling an ankle injury since before the All-Star break. The 39-year-old has battled bumps and bruises all season, but has managed to stay relatively healthy and has played in 62 games so far with the Lakers.
“I’ll be fine,” James said after missing a March 8 game against the Bucks. “It’s just my ankle. It’s just what I’ve been dealing with before the [All-Star] rest, after rest. “I’m just handling it the best way I can.”
Will LeBron James play against the Grizzlies?
James is “expected” to play in Wednesday night’s game against the Grizzlies, Haynes reported Tuesday. The Lakers will face the Grizzlies in Memphis at 8 pm ET.
If James is not available to play, that would be the first time this season that the Lakers star has missed consecutive games.
Lakers record without LeBron James
Tuesday’s absence was the 10th game LeBron missed this season.
The Lakers have stayed afloat in their absences. The victory over the Bucks raised the team’s record without James to 6-4 on the season, and was also the second time in March that Los Angeles beat Milwaukee without its star.
Here’s a look at all of Los Angeles’ games without James in the 2023-24 NBA season.
| Date | Adversary | Score |
| November 12, 2023 | Portland Trail Blazers | W, 116-110 |
| December 13, 2023 | San Antonio Spurs | W, 122-119 |
| December 21, 2023 | minnesota wolves | L, 118-11 |
| January 13, 2024 | utah jazz | L, 132-125 |
| January 23, 2024 | Los Angeles Clippers | L, 127-116 |
| February 1, 2024 | Boston Celtics | W, 114-105 |
| February 14, 2024 | utah jazz | W, 138-122 |
| February 22, 2024 | warriors of the golden state | L, 128-110 |
| March 8, 2024 | milwaukee dollars | W, 123-122 |
| March 26, 2024 | milwaukee dollars | W, 128-124 |
