Is LeBron James Alright? Lakers Star Takes Two Brutal Shots to Face vs Spurs

LeBron James sat out the initial game against the San Antonio Spurs this season, denying fans the much-anticipated matchup against Victor Wembanyama. Yet, with another game against the Spurs looming in just 2 days, James ensured he’d take the court, giving fans what they want. However, despite his clearance to play, the Lakers, who had recently regained their health, opted to bench three starters: Anthony Davis, Cam Reddish, and D’Angelo Russell.

With James taking charge, fans were thrilled. However, their excitement took a hit midway through the third quarter when James encountered a mishap, leading to his sidelining.

LeBron James bleeds from the face

The Lakers played against the Spurs on Friday night. With the score standing at 72-88, favoring the Spurs, the Lakers, fueled by determination, fought for a rebound following a missed shot by the Spurs. Amidst the chaotic play, Rui Hachimura inadvertently struck LeBron James in the face.

As a result, James took to the floor in evident pain. Clutching his face with his hands, he briefly remained seated on the court before heading to the sidelines, blood dripping from his face.

James had skillfully taken the team’s charge in the absence of Anthony Davis. Before the third buzzer, James already achieved a double-double with 21 points and 11 assists. His performance marked his 307th game with 10 or more assists.

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The Spurs consistently held the upper hand throughout the game. Following a remarkable 40-point first quarter, they carried a 6-point lead into halftime. LeBron’s injury elicited one of the loudest boos of the night in the arena, adding intensity to the atmosphere. By the end of the third quarter, the Spurs found themselves in a comfortable position with an 11-point lead.

James vs Wembanya in their rookie seasons

LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama were drafted two decades apart (2003 and 2023). Both entered the league with unique skill sets and a promising future. While their journeys may differ, both are frequently heralded as players destined for greatness, albeit LeBron has already achieved it.

In the first 20 games of his career, Wembanyama has already shown glimpses of becoming a league superstar, despite the Spurs facing a challenging 17 game losing streak. However, James, in his initial 20 games, also struggled with a losing streak with the Cleveland Cavaliers, a 5-15 record.

Furthermore, Wembanyama is currently averaging nearly 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. Additionally, he recently notched the title of being the youngest player to log a 20-point, 20-rebound game.

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In contrast, James started his rookie season with averages of 16.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.4 assists over the first 20 games. However, he finished the season on a better note, averaging over 20 points with 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. In the process, he became the youngest player to score 40 points in an NBA game.