LeBron James Gives Update On Hand Injury Following 2023 NBA All-Star Game
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James left Sunday night's NBA All-Star Game with what the league deemed a right hand contusion. James finished the first half, but did not return at all during the second half.
Following the game, James spoke to the media and gave an update on his injury.
"Coach Malone is a defensive-minded coach and I told him I would get one stop tonight," James said. "I tried to get one little chasedown block and got my finger caught in the rim, but I'll be fine. It's not too much to worry about. For precautionary reasons, just took the rest of the night off."
This is definitely a sigh of relief for the Lakers and their fan base, as LeBron James being healthy is essential to them possibly going on a run and making the postseason.
As things stands right now, the Lakers are two games out of the 10-seed in the Western Conference with 23 games remaining on their schedule following the All-Star break.
The injury to James' right hand/finger happened when he went to block a layup attempt by Toronto Raptors big man Pascal Siakam. In the process of doing so, LeBron's right pinky finger appeared to get caught on the rim, bending somewhat awkwardly.
He did however remain in the game and did not seem to be bothered at the moment of the injury.
At halftime is when the NBA issued a statement saying that LeBron James would not return due to a right hand contusion.
James, 38, tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most All-Star appearances in league history on Sunday night with his 19th All-Star appearance.
Playing in a total of 14 minutes, LeBron finished the game with 13 points, four assists and one rebound.
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