Lakers Injury Update: Will LeBron James Play Back to Back Games Tonight vs the Thunder?

The Lakers had a remarkable night against the Detroit Pistons. Coming off victorious with a 133 against Detroit’s 107, LeBron James and his team bounced back from a terrible loss to the 76ers. Despite Vanderbilt, Vincent, and Hachimura still out, it looks like LA is rallying.

The purple and gold will be facing the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight. A young and vivacious team, standing at 11-6, the OKC will be looking to continue their dominance.

Will LeBron James suit up tonight vs OKC Thunder?

James’ left calf contusion has been a slight thorn in his side for some time now. Though listed as questionable for many games prior, we have seen the “King” take the floor. We can expect the same for tonight as well. Another factor is this is a back-to-back against a flourishing Thunder team.

The upper hand they got over the Pistons won’t be the case here. Looking at how LA fared in their previous back-to-backs has the odds stacked against them. Looking at Bron’s injury history, it seems like in the past two years, December hasn’t been particularly his lucky month.

In 2021, he was sidelined with abdominal injuries 11 times. Though it was nothing serious, the management had been very careful with James. Spending time rehabilitating, Bron’s abdominal woes continued into the New Year and a major part of January 2022. In 2022 December, LeBron was out with an ankle sprain and soreness 12 times. Though his ankle continued to wreak havoc for the major part of 2023, the GOAT appeared in all 16 games of the playoffs. Even though they ultimately fell to the Nuggets in the Western Conference finals, King James was present and ensured his team’s success.

Who can take LeBron’s place if he does decide to sit out?

With everything pointing to James’ presence on the floor, in the rare event that he does stay away, the Lakers do have a few picks that they can use. With Prince, Reddish, Davis, and D’Lo pretty much a sure thing, Wood or Hood-Schifino could be seen with the starting five.

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The OKC is not an easy team. With the rising star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taking the reins,

the Thunder stands first in 3-point shooting in the league. He also ranks fifth for the most points per game currently (30.5). OKC stands seventh in offensive rating and sixth in defensive rating. Their Western Conference ranking is also higher than the Lakers, with the ‘Sooner State’ taking 4th place while LA is in the 7th. Statistically, the young Thunder is ahead of the experienced Lakers team. And that exactly could potentially be an advantage for them over OKC.

The “Akron Hammer’s” sheer will and determination to put his best foot forward, no matter the circumstances, has often been crucial to the Lakers’ victories. So, with him on the floor, the outcome can be quite different from what all the stats in the world could predict.

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Do you think the Lakers have a fighting chance for tonight’s game? Let us know your winners in the comments below!