The Los Angeles Lakers had a prime opportunity to climb back above the .500 mark on Tuesday when they faced off against the Los Angeles Clippers, but their hopes were dashed as they fell short, losing 127-118 and slipping one game below the .500 threshold.
The Lakers faced this challenge with a depleted roster as LeBron James was sidelined due to an ankle injury. The team’s next game is set against the Chicago Bulls on their home court this Thursday, and Lakers fans are hoping for James’ return to the lineup.
There is some optimism on that front, as NBA insider Mark Medina has upgraded James’ status on the injury report to questionable.
LeBron James has already missed a total of five games for the Lakers this season, and his most recent absences, notably against the Utah Jazz on January 13th and the Clippers on Tuesday, can be attributed to an ankle injury he sustained on January 11th during a game against the Phoenix Suns.
The Lakers’ desire to have LeBron James back in action against the Bulls is understandable, given their struggles to maintain their standing in the highly competitive Western Conference. Despite being the oldest player in the NBA, the 19-time All-Star has been having an impressive season.
He’s been contributing with an average of 24.8 points per game, 7.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.3 steals. His shooting percentages are equally remarkable, with 52 percent from the field, 39.1 percent from beyond the three-point line, and 74 percent from the free-throw line.
As the Lakers grapple with their inconsistencies, they find themselves immersed in various trade rumors leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline. Currently, they hold a record of 22-23 and occupy the ninth spot in the Western Conference standings.
If the season were to end today, they would find themselves in a play-in spot. However, their margin for error is slim, as they are merely half a game ahead of the 11th-placed Houston Rockets. The pressure is mounting for the Lakers to make strategic moves to solidify their position in the playoff race.
