LeBron James OUT For Mavs vs. Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has been ruled out for Tuesday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Dallas Mavericks (46-29) are scheduled to play the Los Angeles Lakers (31-43) on Tuesday as they seek to maximize their positioning in the Western Conference standings.

The struggling Lakers will be severely shorthanded, as Anthony Davis (mid-foot sprain) and LeBron James (ankle) have both been ruled out to play against the Mavericks.

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers Superstar LeBron James

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James vs. New Orleans Pelicans

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James 

Davis has been sidelined since Feb. 16 after his right foot clipped the heel of Rudy Gobert in the Lakers' 106-101 win over the Utah Jazz. An MRI later confirmed Davis suffered a mid-foot sprain and the Lakers announced he would be reevaluated in four weeks. 

James has been playing through ankle issues for much of this season. However, during the Lakers' 116-108 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, he rolled his ankle by landing on the foot of Jaxson Hayes after they both went up for a rebound.

“I was going in for an offensive rebound and me and Jaxson basically stepped at the same time,” James said. “He got his foot on the ground before I could get my foot back on the hardwood. I stepped on his foot and rolled my ankle.”

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James Posts Up Luka Doncic

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Luka Doncic Guards LeBron James

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James vs. Dallas Mavericks

After the loss, which dropped the Lakers to 10th in the West and just one game away from falling out of the Play-In Tournament, James described his ankle injury as "horrible." He then said that he'll need to see what happens day-to-day after receiving around-the-clock treatment before determining his status for upcoming games.

“I mean, I have no idea how I finished the game, to be honest, after watching that replay. It’s pretty nasty,” James said.

With just one full day of rest before Tuesday's matchup against the Mavericks, it seemed unlikely that James would be able to match up with Luka Doncic one more time this season. His ankle was wrapped after the game against the Pelicans, and he was limping while walking.


Published
Grant Afseth
GRANT AFSETH

Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for MavericksGameday.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth). You can reach Grant at grantafseth35@gmail.com.