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Monday update: Once again, James is out for the Lakers for Monday’s game against Portland. This is his third absence in a row, and it looks like he won’t chance anything ahead of All-Star weekend. Although he hasn’t officially been ruled out for the showcase game Sunday, he might not play or be extremely limited. The King got some reinforcements at the trade deadline and will likely sit through the All-Star break to recover completely.
Saturday update: James is once again listed out for LA’s contest against the Warriors in primetime. This will the second game he’s missed in a row with this ankle injury, which is reportedly more painful than the team is letting on. James is playing through the pain for the most part, but the Lakers might be giving him some extra rest ahead of the All-Star break to ensure he can finish the season with no setbacks.
The Los Angeles Lakers have made a flurry of moves at the trade deadline but that is going to cost them Thursday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Making matters worse is the absence of LeBron James, who will be sitting this contest due to an ankle injury.
LeBron James injury updates
James has been nursing this injury for a while and has played through the pain. However, the Lakers don’t have many players available for this contest and were likely to lose even if James was in the lineup. It’s a chance for LA to give James some much-needed rest ahead of the final push for the season.
Fantasy basketball impact
With James out, look for Austin Reaves, Lonnie Walker and Anthony Davis to be the key players in this Lakers offense. Walker and Reaves will probably handle the ball more, even with Dennis Schroder set to start at point guard.
Betting impact
The Lakers were sizable underdogs even with James in the lineup. Without him, it’s good to back Milwaukee here.