In the final moments of the Los Angeles Lakers' 130-120 loss to the Sacramento Kings, LeBron James hobbled off the court and headed to the locker room, later assuring, "I'll be all right" after a left ankle examination.
Despite contributing 31 points and 13 assists in 36 minutes, James revealed he's managing ongoing ankle issues that persisted both before and after the All-Star break, emphasizing the challenge of coping with the discomfort.
James clarified that there wasn't a specific play causing his discomfort during the game, describing the ankle pain as part of the wear and tear associated with his 21st season in the NBA. Acknowledging the variability in his condition, James explained, "Some games are better than others," referencing a recent match against OKC where he felt no discomfort until the fourth quarter. The 39-year-old superstar came into the game listed as questionable due to the left ankle injury, leaving uncertainty about his availability for the Lakers' upcoming clash with the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday.
While Anthony Davis expressed confidence in the team's ability to rebound if James misses playing time, he lamented the Lakers' collapse against the Kings. Despite a strong start with a 37-18 lead, Davis' early foul trouble and impactful plays by Sacramento's Malik Monk and Davion Mitchell led to a significant shift in momentum. The Kings' win marked their third victory in three encounters with the Lakers, securing their season series advantage and potentially affecting postseason seeding tiebreakers.
The loss, the Lakers' second in three games, dropped them to the 10th spot in the Western Conference, 1½ games behind the Kings for the No. 7 position. Davis expressed frustration, particularly in what he deemed a "must-win game," while Sacramento's De'Aaron Fox led the charge with an impressive 44-point performance. The Lakers face a challenging road ahead, with their postseason aspirations hanging in the balance amid ongoing struggles and James' injury concerns.
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