On-brand with a frustrating 2021-22 season, the Los Angeles Lakers simultaneously offered, respectively, encouraging and discouraging updates about the health of Anthony Davis and LeBron James on Monday.

During the first half of the Lakers' debacle against the New Orleans Pelicans, LeBron rolled his ankle going after a rebound. He was able to gut out the rest of the game — though was noticeably slowed in the second half — but acknowledged his ankle felt “horrible” afterward, and was likely to only get worse by the fact that the Lakers had to immediately hop on a plane.

Following practice on Monday, Frank Vogel confirmed that James suffered a sprained ankle, and would be listed as “doubtful” for the team's matchup vs. the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.

“He definitely has some swelling from the ankle sprain,” Vogel said, adding that the 37-year old sat out practice to undergo treatment.

LeBron is already dealing with a swollen and sore left knee, which he's admitted won't heal until the offseason. LeBron's latest ailment comes after he strategically took five days off to rest the knee.

On the plus side, Anthony Davis was a full participant in practice for the first time since suffering a mid-foot sprain on Feb. 16.

Vogel said Davis was able to do 5-on-5 scrimmaging and full drill work, which the coach called a “positive sign.” Davis will also be listed as doubtful for the Mavs contest. The Lakers will monitor his soreness following his first live work in over a month.

Once he's cleared to play, the Lakers will be extra-cautious as to not trigger a re-injury. They know he'll need a handful of games to ramp up his conditioning.

“He's gotta get his legs under him,” Vogel said. “That's the biggest thing … That's definitely going to take time. And because of that, you have to be more cautious with the return to play. If you throw him out there and he doesn't have his wind, then the injury becomes compromised … It's definitely going to be a stretch here when we get him back when he's still getting his legs under him.”

The Lakers lead the San Antonio Spurs by one game for the final Play-In spot. They face the NBA's hardest remaining schedule.

Monday's update encapsulated the Lakers' season-long struggles to get their two best players on the floor at the same time.

“It's been that type of year,” Vogel said. “Definitely snakebitten.”