Lakers Injury Report: LeBron James' Status vs Utah In Doubt

L.A. needs James desperately in this one...

The Los Angeles Lakers will be taking on the Utah Jazz tonight on the road, in what should be a good game between two Western Conference playoff hopefuls. Utah sits a half-game ahead of the Lakers in the standings, making this an important game seeding-wise.

However, it seems that the Lakers could be without their most key player for the game. Superstar LeBron James is listed as questionable on the injury report with a left ankle issue. If James can't go, it would be a major blow to the team against the Jazz.

Lakers’ injury report vs. Utah:

— Rui Hachimura is available.
— Anthony Davis and Christian Wood are probable.
— LeBron James (left ankle), Cam Reddish (left knee soreness) and D’Angelo Russell (right knee contusion) are questionable.
— Gabe Vincent is out.

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) January 13, 2024

James has played in 36 games this season for the Lakers and has been great for the most part. In year 21, he still has a great step to himself, and opponents are unable to stop him from driving to the basket.

He has averaged 24.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. James has been the catalyst for the Lakers this season, so they are hoping that he can suit up in this crucial game. 

The team has been reeling lately, and they need their leader on the floor. Any win that the Lakers can pick up right now would go a long way in their quest to reach the postseason again.

James broke down the matchup against the Jazz after the loss to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday, and it sounded like he may end up playing. 

“We got to defend, we’ve got to get back in transition,” James said. “They have one of the best homecourt advantages when you go up there. Altitude plays a real part in it. So we have to get into the flow of the game early. Catch our second wind as quick as possible. And then make them defend. They’re a very good team and they’ve been playing very well lately.”

Per LeBron James via The Athletic

Utah will give the Lakers some problems, but the team should be able to withstand it. Having James on the floor would severely help them, and he could cause matchup problems for Utah.