Many thought the Los Angeles Lakers had shed the negative energy and karma surrounding the team when Russell Westbrook was traded this month for D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Malik Beasley.
Although the team has won four of its last five games since those three players debuted, its bad luck seems to be continuing.
Russell suffered a sprained ankle on Thursday versus the Golden State Warriors, and he missed L.A.’s win over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.
On Sunday, LeBron James suffered what appeared to be a non-contact injury in his right foot during the second half, and he was seen apparently saying he heard a pop.
He will be out on Tuesday when the Lakers visit the Memphis Grizzlies.
Lakers say LeBron James (right foot) is listed out Tuesday vs. Grizzlies.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 27, 2023
Even worse, there is a feeling that James will have to miss multiple weeks as a result.
Sources: There's fear Lakers star LeBron James is likely to miss an extended period of time with his right foot injury. James suffered the injury in Sunday's win over Dallas, played through it, and belief is he will be sidelined an indefinite amount.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 28, 2023
James miraculously played through the injury that is now expected to require multiple opinions, sources said, and the Lakers are bracing for his absence to be multiple weeks. https://t.co/zuovQ2wVzc
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 28, 2023
Even after suffering the injury, he continued to play, and he was very effective down the stretch despite lacking some of his usual mobility, especially in the open court.
Needless to say, any type of extended absence for James would be a huge blow to the Lakers’ hopes of making the playoffs this spring.
