After being upgraded to probable to play for the Lakers in Sunday’s game against the Blazers, LeBron James was downgraded to doubtful roughly two hours before tip.
LeBron had been listed on the injury report with left foot soreness heading into the contest.
LeBron James, who was upgraded to probable to play earlier in the day with left foot soreness, is now downgraded to doubtful, per the team.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 9, 2024
The Lakers are coming off a four-game road trip as part of roughly a two-week span where the team spent only about 36 hours in Los Angeles around Thanksgiving. During that stretch, LeBron was mainstay in the lineup, for better and for worse at times.
With the Lakers set to be at home for an extended time due to failing to qualify for the NBA Cup knockout rounds, head coach JJ Redick noted that the opportunity for rest for LeBron was at least a partial factor in him potentially missing Sunday’s game.
JJ Redick on LeBron missing Sunday’s game: “He has an opportunity to get four days rest before we practice again, so it could be good for him”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 9, 2024
Assuming LeBron doesn’t play on Sunday, it’ll be a week of rest between games. The Lakers played in Atlanta on Friday and would not play again until this upcoming Friday in Minnesota.
It’s not ideal given the current losing slump the Lakers are in to rest LeBron, but they’re also coming up against a Blazers side that’s near the bottom of the standings in the league.
Portland is 8-15 on the season and has won just two of its last nine games. All things considered, these are exactly the type of games you’d rest LeBron in.
Now, the challenge for the Lakers will be picking up the slack and winning in his presumed absence.