Lakers' LeBron James: Sniffs triple-double in loss
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James ended with 26 points (9-19 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 5-7 FT), eight rebounds, 12 assists, two blocks and two steals over 38 minutes during Monday's 101-99 loss to the Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
James finished just two rebounds shy of a triple-double Monday, and even though the 39-year-old forward is competing at a high level, it seems the Lakers keep falling short against Denver. James has recorded at least 25 points, six rebounds and eight assists in the first two games of the series, and he should continue to have a high usage rate during Game 3 on Thursday.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Gets green light
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James (ankle) will play in Monday's Game 2 against the Nuggets, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
James was initially added to the team's injury report as probable, so this update was expected. He'll need to be a key piece of the puzzle again in Game 2 for the Lakers to have a chance to steal a win on the road.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Probable for Game 2
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James (ankle) is probable for Monday's Game 2 against the Nuggets, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
James continues to deal with left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, but he'll likely be able to play through the issue once again Monday as the Lakers attempt to even their first-round series. In Saturday's Game 1 loss, James tallied 27 points, eight assists, six rebounds, a steal and a block in 41 minutes.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Cools off as Game 1 progresses
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James produced 27 points (10-16 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 4-5 FT), six rebounds, eight assists, one block and one steal across 41 minutes during Saturday's 114-103 loss to the Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
James was absolutely dominant in the first half, and his play was instrumental in giving the Lakers a three-point lead at the halftime break. However, he cooled off a bit in the second half, though that was mostly because the Nuggets tightened things up defensively against him. James usually finds a way to adjust, and he should continue to operate as the Lakers' main offensive option in Game 2 on Monday.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Available to face Denver
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James (ankle) has been upgraded to available for Game 1 against the Nuggets on Saturday, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
James has been listed in the injury report pretty much the entire season but has been available for every important game, so there was no doubt that he would play here. Expect him to handle his regular workload, as well as his regular usage rate, in the playoff opener.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Probable for Game 1
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James (ankle) is listed as probable for Saturday's Game 1 against the Nuggets, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.
James has once again been added to the team's injury report due to left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, but he should be able to play through the issue. He's coming off a strong showing in Tuesday's Play-In Game against the Pelicans, falling one rebound and one assist shy of a triple-double.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Flirts with triple-double Tuesday
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James registered 23 points (6-20 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 10-10 FT), nine rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and three steals over 41 minutes during Tuesday's 110-106 Play-In Game victory over the Pelicans.
James fell just one rebound and one assist short of his second straight triple-double. It continues what has been a fantastic season for James, a campaign that will now last at least another four games. The Nuggets await the Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, a matchup that should be a must-watch given the history between the two teams.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Set to play Tuesday
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James (ankle) is available for Tuesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Pelicans, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.
James has been upgraded from probable to available Tuesday despite dealing with left ankle peroneal tendinopathy. The superstar forward averaged 31.0 points, 12.5 assists, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks in 37.5 minutes across his two appearances against New Orleans this season.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Probable for Tuesday
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James (ankle) is probable for Tuesday's Play-In Tournament matchup against the Pelicans, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.
James continues to deal with left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, but he'll likely be able to suit up as the Lakers begin postseason play Tuesday. He appeared in the team's final three regular-season games and averaged 32.7 points, 11.0 assists, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals in 38.3 minutes per game.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Ends regular season in style
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James produced 28 points (11-20 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 11 rebounds, 17 assists, one block and five steals over 38 minutes during Sunday's 124-108 win over the Pelicans.
James was omnipresent Sunday and saved one of his best performances of the season for a game where the Lakers needed him the most. The 17 assists were a season-high mark for James, and this was also his fifth triple-double of the campaign, as he seems to be ready for the Play-In matchup against New Orleans on Tuesday.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Good to go in New Orleans
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James (ankle) will play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Pelicans, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
No surprise here, as James was considered probable heading into the contest. Barring any setbacks, the star forward figures to be in line for his usual workload.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Probable to play Sunday
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James is probable to face the Pelicans on Sunday due to a left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.
James has been a regular name on the Lakers' injury report this season due to the same ankle injury that landed him here before the season finale, but if past games have taught anything, James should handle his regular workload in a game that's big for both teams. James is averaging 28.4 points, 9.2 assists, 6.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game since the beginning of April.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Leads team to crucial victory
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James notched 37 points (13-20 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 8-11 FT), nine rebounds, five assists and two steals in 41 minutes during Friday's 123-120 win over the Grizzlies.
James led all players in the contest in scoring, outpacing teammate Anthony Davis by one point. Six of James' points came in the final minute of play to help Los Angeles hang on for a big victory in their jostling for position in the Play-In Tournament. The Lakers can clinch the No. 8 seed with a win in Sunday's regular-season finale in New Orleans but could fall to as low as 10th with a loss, so James and the rest of the team's starters figure to suit up and play their full allotment of minutes.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Suiting up Friday
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James (ankle) will play Friday against the Grizzlies, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.
James was tagged as a game-time call due to left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, and he's been granted the green light to play Friday evening. The star forward is averaging 26.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 10.3 assists and 1.5 steals over four April matchups.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Questionable for Friday
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James is questionable for Friday's game against the Grizzlies due to left ankle peroneal tendinopathy.
James missed Sunday's game against Minnesota due to an illness, but he returned to action Tuesday against the Warriors and logged 33 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds and two assists in 36 minutes. He continues to deal with his ankle issue that's plagued him for most of the year, and it's unclear whether he'll be able to suit up Friday.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Returns with massive double-double
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James accumulated 33 points (14-22 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-5 FT), seven rebounds, 11 assists and two steals across 36 minutes during Tuesday's 134-120 loss to the Warriors.
Anthony Davis (head) forced James to carry a heavy load, and despite admirable contributions from the rest of the starting lineup, the Lakers couldn't overcome Golden State's offensive onslaught. The Lakers are in direct competition with Golden State as they jockey for playoff position, so this was a costly loss. The Lakers have only two games remaining, and James should take over both games if Davis remains out.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Set to play against Golden State
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James (illness) is available for Tuesday's game versus the Warriors, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
James has been upgraded from questionable to available Tuesday after missing the Lakers' previous contest with a non-COVID illness. The superstar forward will likely take on a larger offensive role against the Warriors with Anthony Davis (head) out.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Game-time call for Tuesday
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James (illness) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Warriors, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
James is still experiencing flu-like symptoms, and as a result, he's in danger of missing his second straight game. The team will likely re-evaluate the star forward in the morning to gauge his availability for Tuesday's contest.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Out Sunday with illness
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James (ankle) is dealing with flu-like symptoms and won't play in Sunday's game against the Timberwolves, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
James had been listed as questionable heading into Sunday due to left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, but it's an illness that will instead keep him off the floor for the second leg of a back-to-back set. In James' absence Sunday, the Lakers will likely lean more heavily on Rui Hachimura and Spencer Dinwiddie. James will look to move past the illness in advance of an important game Tuesday versus the Warriors.
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Lakers' LeBron James: Deemed questionable
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James (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Timberwolves, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.
For the most part, James continues to play through left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, but he may sit out Sunday's contest because it's the second half of a back-to-back set. On Saturday, he posted 24 points and 12 assists in 36 minutes during a blowout win over Cleveland. If James is sidelined, Rui Hachimura and Spencer Dinwiddie would be candidates for increased minutes and usage.
