The Los Angeles Lakers provided an update on LeBron James' ankle ahead of their first road game of the season, which will come versus the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.
The Lakers are listing James as “probable” for the Spurs clash due to right ankle soreness.
Lakers' official status report for Tues at Spurs. LeBron James is listed as PROBABLE with right ankle soreness. He said last night that he expected soreness and "around-the-clock" treatment today, and was hopeful he would be ready for SA.
Wayne Ellington, Kendrick Nunn still OUT pic.twitter.com/fx5NI0Sw1W— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) October 25, 2021
James put a scare into Lakers fans during their victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night when he took a spill in the second quarter after forward Desmond Bane collided with his lower leg. The Lakers star clutched his leg and remained on the floor for over a minute.
LeBron was down for a minute holding his knee, but hopped up and all is well. Nearly had an incredible recovery block on the next possession pic.twitter.com/Bq8UbPJBCi
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) October 25, 2021
In his postgame remarks, LeBron said he was expecting soreness and “around-the-clock” treatment on Monday.
“Just wanted to take a moment on the floor, just hopefully it wasn't getting worse,” James said. “Had an opportunity just to tie my shoe again and see if I'm able to go, I was able to continue to go.”
Afterward, LeBron said the moment triggered memories of the incident on March 20 of last season, when Atlanta Hawks forward Solomon Hill crashed into his lower body, resulting in a high ankle sprain. James missed the Lakers' next 20 games and was clearly hampered upon his return. Recently, he said his ankle needed two more months of recuperation this summer before he could ramp up basketball activities.
“The first thing I was thinking to myself was, ‘Not again,'” James said Sunday. “Because, obviously, it was almost similar but not the same kind of play. Guy falls into my leg and there's nothing you can do about it and I couldn't get my leg out of there in time.”
“Hopefully I'm ready to go,” James said about his availability for the Lakers' visit to San Antonio.
The Lakers (1-2) already have a long injury report. Talen Horton-Tucker (thumb surgery) and Trevor Ariza (ankle surgery) are out multiple weeks, while Kendrick Nunn (bone bruise in knee) and Wayne Ellington (hamstring strain) have yet to make their 2021-22 debuts. The latter two wings were also declared out for Lakers-Spurs.
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