The Los Angeles Lakers season continues to hit a new low point seemingly every night. During the NBA Sunday slate, they hit another one facing off against the New Orleans Pelicans on the road.
The Lakers weren’t catching any breaks, as New Orleans was getting their full complement of players back. Brandon Ingram was returning to the lineup, but in the early going, it didn’t matter who was on the court for New Orleans as the Lakers were rolling.
Los Angeles led by as many as 23 points in the game, but they were unable to hold onto the lead. The Pelicans ended up winning the game 116-108, as they outscored the Lakers 67-39 in the second half of the game.
That loss dropped the Los Angeles Lakers’ record to 31-43 on the season as the Pelicans jumped them in the standings. Los Angeles is only one game ahead of the San Antonio Spurs for the final spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament in the Western Conference and things aren’t going to get any easier with LeBron James ailing.
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James has battled a malady of injuries throughout the season and suffered another one against the Pelicans. He rolled it once again against the Pelicans, describing it as horrible as he is hoping he doesn’t force him to miss time.
“I was going in for an offensive rebound and me and Jaxson basically stepped at the same time,” James said. “He got his foot on the ground before I could get my foot back on the hardwood. I stepped on his foot and rolled my ankle.”
“It’s horrible right now. And unfortunately, we’re about to hop on a flight, too,” James said. “See what happens day-to-day. But it’s pretty sore right now.”
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The team has struggled mightily with LeBron James in the lineup this season, but they have been even worse when he is sidelined. If he is forced to miss any time, there is a good chance that the Spurs will overtake them in the standings and they won’t even qualify for the Play-In Tournament.
Blown leads like that have become commonplace for the Lakers this season, who will need some major changes this offseason if they want to be competitive next season. James finished the game against the Pelicans with 39 points, nine rebounds and five assists despite the injury, playing 42 minutes.
It is something not even James can explain how it happened as the ankle is in rough shape.
“I mean, I have no idea how I finished the game, to be honest, after watching that replay,” James said. “It’s pretty nasty.”
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Los Angeles will be back in action on Tuesday night as they are traveling to take on the Dallas Mavericks, which is the second game of a three-game road trip. If LeBron James isn’t healthy enough to play, the Los Angeles Lakers will be at a huge disadvantage going up against a Mavericks team looking to make their own push up the standings in the Western Conference.
