LeBron James avoids nasty injury as he lands awkwardly after shoe fell off in defeat

The Los Angeles Lakers lost for the third consecutive game last night as they fell to the Charlotte Hornets in a worrying defeat.

The Lakers looked to have turned their season around earlier this month, when they won eight of 10 games, along with LeBron James and Anthony Davis playing at a high level - with the latter in the MVP conversation - whilst Russell Westbrook begun thriving in a role off the bench as the sixth man.

But in recent weeks, they have reverted back to their early season form, and continue to struggle defensively and shooting from the three point line - something they have endured difficulty with for almost three years.

But whilst recent losses have been disappointing, they would have not compared to the devastation of losing James to an injury.

On the final play of the game, James drove to the basket and looked to draw the defenders in, before preparing to pass the ball to an open shooter, Dennis Schoeder, but James then slipped as his shoe flew off in what could have been a disastrous moment.

Somehow, James was able to get the pass off to Schroeder, but the point-guard missed the shot with the Lakers losing the game. Thankfully for Lakers fans, James was able to get up immediately, looking disappointed with the outcome of the play.

LeBron James was lucky to avoid a horror injury (@HornetsOnBally/Twitter)

The loss means that the Lakers are now five wins away from the playoffs and have the third-worst record in the Western Conference.

This season looks to be going in the same vein as the previous two for the Lakers, having moments but ultimately falling short of being a successful team - in what will frustrate James as he enters the latter stages of his career.

The legendary forward is unlikely to leave the team though, contracted for two more seasons, and hoping to play with his son Bronny James, who is eligible to be drafted in 2024.

Two players who could be moved though, are the aforementioned Davis and Westbrook. Davis would bring in a huge haul for the organisation to use assets to build around James, with Westbrook to become a free agent this summer and opening cap space to make moves.