The Los Angeles Lakers released their injury report for Friday’s home game against the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James (left foot joint arthritis and right sciatica) and Rui Hachimura (right calif strain) are questionable while Austin Reaves (left calf strain) and Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain) remain out.
The hope is that James will return to the lineup after a one-game absence, but it likely will depend on how he feels on Friday. At his age and mileage, the Lakers will surely be cautious with LeBron if he is not feeling 100% healthy.
It also appears that Hachimura has a chance of returning after missing the last five games with a calf strain. Considering how many guys have been out in recent weeks, the Lakers have needed a scoring punching so getting Hachimura back for their matchup with the Bucks would be ideal.
After Friday’s game, the Lakers’ schedule gets extremely tough as they have five games in seven days starting on Monday. That includes separate trips to Sacramento and Portland along with three home games, which surely will be taxing on the players.
Because of that, getting a win against the Bucks is important as their could be some schedule losses coming down the road.
Nonetheless, both James and Hachimura’s statuses will be worth monitoring leading up to the game and if they are unable to go, others like Jake LaRavia, Marcus Smart and Dalton Knecht will need to keep stepping up.
Lakers’ LeBron James status for all back-to-backs is TBD
James missed the Lakers’ most recent game against the San Antonio Spurs with his current ailments given it was the second night of a back-to-back. And the 41-year old noted that his status for all back-to-backs this season should be considered TBD given his age and injury history.
“Every back-to-back, for the rest of the season, is TBD,” James said. “I am 41. I got the most minutes in NBA history. Bank [that answer] right now.”
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