A LA Lakers superstar Lebron James sprained his left left knee in his fourth finish in Wednesday's Timberwolves, a league source told ESPN Friday that an MRI on Thursday revealed on Thursday.
LeBron James was eliminated for 3-5 weeks
According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, a Grade 2 MCL sprain involves a recommended recovery schedule for three to five weeks. Wolves guard Donte Divincenzo was attacked after colliding with James' left knee in the driveway, causing an offensive foul.
James, 40, fell in pain on the court and had to quit the game so that his long-time athletic coach, Mike Mancias, had a knee check. The 21st All-Star team returned to the game with a 7:23 record and ended the rest of the series with a 103-96 loss to Wolves.
Luka Doncic scored 28 points and nine assists, while James scored 22 points for the Lakers, now losing 22 points in a second straight playoff game despite sending Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in Doncic's mid-season blockbuster deal.
The Lakers have struggled in the playoffs since winning the 2020 championship
The Lakers have been promoted from the first round in just five seasons since the 2020 Florida Bubble Championship. Los Angeles' fifth loss put James' playoff record at 184-108.
“There is always disappointment and gratitude,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “Of course it's disappointing.” [because this result is] I never envisioned something with this team and had to talk to them after the first round defeat, but brought a lot of honor to Minnesota.
“They are a really good basketball team and I think our guys are doing enough hard and doing all the right things.” We tried to make it work with what we have and it was a little short. ”
James has 292 consecutive playoff games
According to basketball reference, LeBron James has 292 consecutive playoff games in a row, without injury and absent. If the Lakers play Game 6 in Minneapolis on Friday night, it will be stolen.
More importantly, it is unclear whether James plans to return to his 23rd NBA season and his eighth campaign with the Lakers. In a post-match press conference Wednesday, James said he hasn't made a decision yet. He must exercise $52.6 million in player options next season before June 29.
“You don't know what [Lakers] Aside from those men, the list looks like next year [are] James said. “So I don't know what the roster will look like. I don't know where I stand now.”
In 70 games (all starts) of the 2023-24 season, James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 34.9 minutes per game, while the field shot 51.3%, 37.6% and 78.2% of the foul line.
