Game-high 26 points, 3 assists, and 6 rebounds in 29 minutes. The numbers look just fine on paper, but LeBron James wasn’t able to pull his Lakers over the edge tonight despite giving it his best. Well, not the best, per the man himself. The 4x champion was listed as probable for the Cavs matchup with illness. But knowing the ‘Akron Hammer,’ he wouldn’t let go of the opportunity to suit up with his son for their first game in Cleveland – his home.

Unfortunately, the nearly 40-year-old appeared and sounded hoarse in the post-game press conference, clearly indicating that whatever is ailing him is still annoyingly lingering. Responding to a reporter who noted that the 22-season veteran sounded worse than when they talked on Monday, LeBron James assured that he was working to keep himself healthy.

“Just working my way through it. Taking care of my body, trying to get as much rest as possible, stay hydrated. Make sure I’m getting the nutrients and everything I need as it passes.” 

That said, in the post-game presser, LeBron James also noted, “Had some decent energy today not as my usual but still happy to be out there and be able to contribute a little bit while on the floor.”

The 20x All-Star usually has solid games against his former team. In 22 regular season games, the man has 19 wins, while averaging 28.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. So, it was natural to expect a similar outing tonight, too. And James did not do too badly to start the game, scoring five points while going 2-of-4 from the field.

But the third quarter was when LeBron James caught absolute fire, scoring 14 points on 83.3% shooting, and going a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Unfortunately, the Cavs’ offense was too intense for the Purple & Gold to stay strong.

LeBron James’ illness evident in his quiet night during the Suns’ loss

There’s no two ways about the fact that Bron, when healthy, is as good as his prime. Hence, watching James finish his night in a close loss to the Suns with 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting, it was clear that the all-time scorer was really unwell. In fact, it was one of the reasons the Lakers couldn’t pull off the win despite holding an 18-point lead in the first half.

Talking to the press post-game, he shared that he hadn’t been feeling well of late and it was evident in his hoarse voice. “I’ve been better. You can hear it in my voice,” LeBron James noted. The hoops veteran also revealed the cold symptoms started on Friday. Considering what the reporter in today’s presser noted, it’s safe to assume that the King isn’t fully back yet.

Furthermore, Los Angeles’ schedule hasn’t been kind, either. Their opponents were all playoff-caliber teams and the matchups also included a back-to-back. As for the Suns, LeBron James & Co. faced them twice in a short span, with each team splitting the win equally. And while the ‘L Train’ suited up for every game, it was clear that he looked tired.

As LeBron James continues to push through fatigue while battling opponents of such high caliber, the community remains hopeful that he will regain his full strength and elevate the Purple and Gold side’s performance. With each game, the resilience of the LA Lakers is tested, but their ability to adapt and overcome adversity will be crucial as they strive for a successful season ahead.