Lakers News: Two Key LA Starters Are Available for Cavaliers Matchup

Ricardo Sandoval | Oct 30, 2024

Apr 16, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) dunks the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard D'Angelo Russell (1) during the second half of a play-in game of the 2024 NBA playoffs at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers will be a full strength for their fifth game of the season against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Lakers will have their top two starters, forward LeBron James and point guard D'Angelo Russell available for Wednesday night's matchup.

Lakers beat writer for the OC Register, Khobi Price shared the news via Twitter/X.

Lakers say LeBron James (illness) and D’Angelo Russell (low back soreness) have been upgraded to available tonight at Cleveland.

— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) October 30, 2024

James has been dealing with an illness since last week. However, he appears to be healthy enough for this contest against this former team. Russell has been dealing with low back soreness but will tough it out tonight.

James was only able to score 11 points in his latest outing against the Suns. It was his lowest point total in quite a while; however, he was able to keep his 10+ point streak alive.

He is still dealing with a minor illness, as he addressed it on Monday after the game, but he will be fine for Wednesday's matchup. James' best game of the season so far came on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings, where he posted 32 points (12-22 FG), 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. It was his first triple-double of the season; however, his other three contests have been mediocre, as he's averaged 16.0 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.7 rebounds.

As for Russell, he suffered the injury during Monday's loss. On top of that, he has had a slow start to the season. Through four games this season, Russell is averaging 11.0 points, 5.8 assists, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 38.1 percent from the field and 28 percent from three. He is averaging 32.3 minutes per game.

In L.A.'s last contest, Russell recorded 14 points, nine assists (a season-high), and one rebound.

Although the Lakers are only through four games of the season, they have been relatively healthy. They are only missing two key players, center Christian Wood and forward Jarred Vanderbilt.

Each is dealing with injuries of their own, and it's unclear when they will be back on the court.

Russell is in his fifth season as a Laker. In those five seasons, he has averaged 15.6 points, 4.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.1 steals while shooting 43 percent from the field and 38 percent from three.

Last season, Russell set the Lakers record for most 3-pointers in a single season. He finished the season with 226. The previous record was 183, set by Nick Van Exel in the 1994-95 season.

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