LeBron James diving loose ball play injury vs Nuggets
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 14: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dives for a loose ball as Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets watches during the second half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LeBron James made highlights for the Los Angeles Lakers after diving for a loose ball in theteam’s recent win over the Denver Nuggets.
Now, before theLakers’ game against the Houston Rockets, James took to social media to share the full extent of his highlight play, in what ended up being a slight knee injury for the star.
While itdid appear James heavily scraped his knee, the updatedidn’t land him on the injury report, and he remained in for the rest of thegame, as well as healthy for thecontest against the Rockets.
LeBron James Knee Injury After Diving Play
The highlight play for James came late in the game as the Lakers were down by one point against the Nuggets.Though he’s been known for his physicality his entire career,at this stage of his NBA life, the hustle play came as somewhat of a shock to basketball fans.
Even Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick said he was surprised at the play.
“I told him after the game, in 23 years of watching you play in the NBA, and the three years I watched you play in high school, I never saw you make a full-out extension dive like that."
Coach JJ Redick on LeBron's incredible hustle play with under one minute to go in regulation… https://t.co/fz7CM1Lz4z pic.twitter.com/Y7u1tJLScp
— NBA (@NBA) March 15, 2026
“I told him after the game, in 23 years of watching you play in the NBA, and the three years I watched you play in high school, I never saw you make a full-out extension dive like that,”he said postgame.
Still, while the diving play made headlines, it resulted in a slight injury for James. In his post showing the knee scrape he suffered, the four-time Finals MVP hinted that he likelywon’t make that move again.
“Might be it for diving for the year,”he wrote.
In that overtime win against the Nuggets, he ended with 17 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
On the season, James is averaging 21.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and seven assists on 50.5% shooting.
LeBron James Lakers Future
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers
Despite being the oldest player in the NBA, James still offers a lot on the basketball court and would be a strong addition for any team, given that he doesn’t sign a max contract extension.
However, whileJames’ Lakers future is still very much up in the air, as the 41-year-old himself has yet to commentabout what his next plansare, an insider recently revealed a telling updateabout his next plans.
According toESPN’s Shams Charania, the way the Lakers finish the season will play a major part in how James decideswhat’s next in his legendary career.
“LeBronhasn’t made a decision on whetherhe’s going to continue to play. I think the feeling around LeBron James around the league ishe’s going to go at least one more season,”Charania said. “
“And a lot of how the Lakers’ season finishes will play a big factor in LeBronJames’ future. How does their season end? How does his season end?How’s his health? How is he feeling, mentally, emotionally, and all that?”
While Rob Pelinka did say the Lakers would be open to having the star return and retire in Los Angeles, that is not the prevailing thought. James has been recently linked to a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, either playing one or two more seasons with his former team before announcing his retirement.