How long is LeBron James out? Foot injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Lakers star
LeBron James has been on the injury report for most of the season with left ankle soreness.
Now, the Lakers star is dealing with an injury to his other foot.
James went down with a foot injury in a matchup with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving’s Mavericks. While he remained in the game and helped the Lakers come away with a win, he was later seen walking with a limp.
What’s next for James? Here’s everything we know about his injury and the latest news surrounding it.
MORE: Will LeBron, Lakers miss NBA Playoffs? Breaking down LA’s postseason odds
What is LeBron James’ injury?
James suffered a right foot injury in the second half of the Lakers’ comeback win over the Mavericks on Feb. 26.
With under four minutes remaining in the third period, James drove on Mavericks center Dwight Powell and missed a layup. He then fell to the ground while holding his foot and was heard saying, “I heard a pop.”
Here’s a video of the injury:
James remained in the game and played most of the fourth quarter. He finished with 26 points in 37 minutes.
How long is LeBron James out?
James is expected to miss more than Tuesday’s game against the Grizzlies.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, there’s “fear” James will miss an extended period of time, sidelining him indefinitely. Charania added that James’ injury “will require multiple opinions” and the Lakers are “bracing for his absence to be multiple weeks.”
NBA.com’s Mark Medina said on “The Odd Couple” podcast that James has no structural issues and the injury isn’t believed to be season-ending. “There is a chance that not only that he’s coming back this season, but that he can play through the pain once the initial pain calms down,” Medina explained.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski provided more of a timetable on Feb. 28, reporting that James will be reassessed in two weeks. His timeline is expected to “extend beyond that checkpoint” and where the Lakers are in the standings could impact how soon he returns.
The Lakers are currently on the outside looking in on the Western Conference Play-In race with 21 games to go.
Here are Los Angeles’ next five games of the 2022-23 regular season:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Feb. 28 | at Grizzlies | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| March 1 | at Thunder | 8:00 p.m. | — |
| March 3 | vs. Timberwolves | 10:30 p.m. | — |
| March 5 | vs. Warriors | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| March 7 | vs. Grizzlies | 10:00 p.m. | TNT |
LeBron James career stats, highlights
- 27.2 points per game
- 7.5 rebounds per game
- 7.3 assists per game
- 1.5 steals per game
- 0.8 blocks per game
- 3.5 turnovers per game
- 38.1 minutes per game
- 50.5 percent field goal shooting
- 34.4 percent 3-point shooting
- 73.5 percent free throw shooting
Published at Tue, 28 Feb 2023 17:20:00 +0000
