The Los Angeles Lakers got a big reality check after losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder. They have learnt that any team can win, it doesn’t matter who has the star-studded cast on their side. To be fair, the Lakers have been quite shorthanded in games because of injury troubles and what’s worse is that LeBron James is also benched.
Facing ankle soreness, LeBron has already missed two games so far. This has fans wondering how serious could this injury be. Here’s what Dr Raj has analyzed and here’s how fans feel about it.
How worried should the Lakers be about LeBron James?
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LeBron James’ bad luck has landed him in the same predicament he was last season. The same ankle that was injured has been preventing him to play with his team in the last two games against the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. Against the Spurs, the Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook duo had it handled, leading them to a victory. But the game against OKC was a bitter disappointment.
This only means that the purple and gold need their superstar back. But how long could that be? What exactly are we looking at? In a recent video by Dr Raj, he explained how concerned everyone should be about King James. “Based on multiple sets of evidence, I am not all that concerned,” started off Raj.
He explained that as per Frank Vogel, the injury this time differs from the one he had in the previous season. This is a good thing because he had a high ankle sprain back then which is very difficult to deal with. Dr Raj also compared the two injuries through videos in detail. He stated, “When Desmond Bane fell into that leg, firstly you don’t see any twist or roll with LeBron’s foot or ankle. Secondly, he is grabbing higher up.”
WATCH THIS STORY: Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis Carrying the Game to OT, Dejounte Murray’s Triple Double and Other Highlights From Lakers vs Spurs
No pain is the best sign
Another evidence that suggests there is nothing to be worried about is that “he’s not in all that much pain.” Dr Raj added, “He was able to play through the game without any real deficits. He had soreness and was listed as probable. If this was a serious injury, he would have been ruled out immediately.”
If that’s the case, then why did he miss the last two games? Dr Raj explained, “Because the level of soreness has not dissipated to the level that the training staff is comfortable with. Therefore, they’re being proactive with him.”
In fact, he completely agrees with the approach the team is taking to handle his injury. Pushing through it will only increase the risk of more damage. This news triggered some responses from some fans as well.
I think he’s just letting Russ get his confidence back
— X🥷🏾 (@SpectrumSlum) October 27, 2021
The nature of LeBron James is that he is getting older to play high level basketball
— SergiBCN (@SergiBCN23) October 28, 2021
i hate when our best player has to sit out, but i'd rather this happen now than it happen when it did last year
— Yetmon_4L (@TLbugging) October 27, 2021
That’s why you get a Russ, so lebron can rest and not play injured✊🏾
— d (@Fuuhthatbitchh) October 27, 2021
I just want him close to 100% by the playoffs.
— B҉l҉x҉c҉k҉ ҉M҉a҉s҉s҉ (@blaxkmass) October 27, 2021
Don't take a chance, give Lebron a extra day of rehab. Any extended absence now could sink the season. Let Westbrook take over…
— john velez (@rollerderbing) October 25, 2021
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I would let him rest, no difficult game ahead….
— Ballistic Balling (@BallisticBalli2) October 25, 2021
Bron is questionable for the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Of course, the Lakers do need him considering the way they lost to OKC. But he will only return when the time is right. One can only hope it’s sooner rather than later.
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