According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN on Thursday, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James will be out a minimum of three weeks after injuring his tendon in his right foot on Sunday in the Lakers’ remarkable comeback against the Dallas Mavericks. James suffered the injury when he was trying to move past Mavericks center Dwight Powell with a layup attempt. Many were concerned when James proclaimed he heard a pop.
At this time there is a possibility that James could be out for more than three weeks. At that time he will have foot re-evaluated, and we should know when he will most likely be returning.
The Lakers were once down 48-21 in the second quarter before coming back to win 111-108 in their game against Dallas. James played 37 minutes and had 26 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
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With the loss of James, the Lakers will rely heavily on center Anthony Davis, who had an impressive double-double in the contest. He led the Lakers with 30 points and also had 15 rebounds. Forward Jarred Vanderbilt also had a double-double as he had 17 rebounds, to go along with 15 assists. The Lakers’s balanced attack, which is generating momentum, will also have to come up big in James’s absence.
It should be noted that James was injured in the NBA All-Star Game after suffering a hand contusion. So far this season, he is averaging 29.5 points per game, 8.4 rebounds per game and 6.9 assists per game.
The Lakers are in 11th place in the Western Conference. They are one game back of the New Orleans Pelicans for the final spot in the play-in tournament.
How much of an impact does James still have on the Lakers? Is there a possibility that when James returns, the Lakers will be out of contention for a playoff spot? I think it is possible.
Tell us what you think in the comments below.
