LeBron James scored 30 factors earlier than leaving the court docket with ache in his left leg late within the Los Angeles Lakers’ 114-101 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday evening.
James felt discomfort in his leg and groin shortly after he backed down Paul George to attract a foul within the paint with lower than 5 minutes to play. James had sat out Monday’s sport at Utah to relaxation the persistent ache in his left foot, however he was having certainly one of his finest video games of the season earlier than his newest bodily setback.
“I feel good, besides the injury,” James said. “We’ll get photos on it tomorrow and go from there. Didn’t do something strenuous on the play. When I landed, I felt somewhat spasm or pressure in my groin. Immediately I requested to return out on the subsequent play down.”
James stated the damage does not really feel as painful as his groin damage from Christmas 2018 throughout his first season with the Lakers. He missed a career-high 17 video games with that damage.
James, on tempo to go Kareem Abdul-Jabbar this season to change into the NBA’s profession scoring chief, hit 4 3-pointers and added eight rebounds and 5 assists in opposition to the Clippers whereas ending one shy of his season excessive in factors.
“We’ll let him see our medical staff first,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “It’s simply loads of adversity. He’s been attempting his coronary heart out simply to be there for us and play at a excessive stage. I believed he had it going actually, rather well tonight. But it is the NBA season, man. You’ve bought to be prepared for somewhat little bit of every part, so we’ll see what the outcomes are as soon as he will get evaluated and be prepared to maneuver ahead.”
George scored 29 factors because the Clippers prolonged their latest domination of their enviornment roommates with their ninth consecutive victory over the Lakers. Norman Powell added 18 for the Clippers, who had seven scorers in double figures throughout their fifth victory prior to now six video games with out injured star Kawhi Leonard, who missed his tenth sport this season.
The Clippers are unbeaten within the metropolis rivalry since July 2020 and nonetheless excellent in opposition to the Lakers underneath coach Tyronn Lue, who took over in October 2020.
“I was proud of how we came out in the third quarter and took control of the game again,” Lue said. “Just with the ability to get it again within the second half and understanding it is a competitors, not a present. I do know it is the 2 LA groups, however we’re taking part in to get higher each evening, so it isn’t a present.”
Anthony Davis had 21 factors and 9 rebounds for the Lakers, who dropped to 2-9 with their fourth consecutive defeat. Russell Westbrook added 14 factors and 9 assists, however the Lakers have the NBA’s second-worst report up to now.
John Wall scored 10 factors in his return to the Clippers’ bench after sitting out the second sport of a back-to-back Monday evening. Wall is being cautious together with his knee and his comeback after sitting out two of the previous three seasons.
