Lakers’ LeBron James injures right foot, guts out performance against Dallas
2 years ago
Lakers #Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Beasley (5) and forward Anthony Davis (3) get a congrats from teammate forward LeBron James (6) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Beasley (5) dribbles during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) dribbles during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) shoots during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Beasley (5) drives to the basket against Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (2) dribbles against Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, right, questions a call during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd yells from he sidelines during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) dribbles during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas native and music artist Erykah Badu, center, watches the second half of an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) dribbles during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) dribbles during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) dribbles during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Dennis Schroder (17) dribbles during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes claps during an NBA basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) dribbles during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) dribbles against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) laughs next to Dallas Mavericks forward Christian Wood (35) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, intercepts a pass meant for Dallas Mavericks forward Christian Wood, right, during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) gets a pat from teammate guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, reaches for the ball against Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) reacts after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) vie for control of the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after a call during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) reacts after scoring on a slam dunk against the Dallas Mavericks during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) dribbles against Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) dribbles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) dribbles against Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) shoots against Dallas Mavericks defenders Justin Holiday (10) and Kyrie Irving (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) drives into Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, center left, questions a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) drives against Dallas Mavericks guard Frank Ntilikina (21) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) dribbles against Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (2) dribbles against Los Angeles Lakers forward Troy Brown Jr. (7) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) keeps the ball from Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, left, during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) shoots against Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
DALLAS — Just what the Lakers need: Another foot to worry about.
LeBron James was able to walk out of American Airlines Center on Sunday evening under his own power, but with a significant limp. The 38-year-old’s right foot took a hit when he landed awkwardly on a third-quarter lay-up attempt against Dwight Powell.
James declined to sub out, playing out 36 minutes for 26 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. He hit key baskets in the fourth, including a tying shot and a go-ahead basket early in the fourth that brought the Lakers all the way out of a 27-point hole in their eventual 111-108 win.
The Lakers (29-32) need every win they can get, but could James’ latest injury make it a pyrrhic victory? The biggest factor in James’ thinking was that he didn’t want the Lakers to lose on Sunday.
“It’s been better. That’s for sure,” James said afterward. “But I definitely wasn’t going to go to the locker room and not finish the game out tonight. Just understood the importance of the game and then with the momentum that we had, I felt like we could still win after being down.”
The Lakers are already dealing with an injury to starting guard D’Angelo Russell, one of the team’s better shooters and playmakers. While he went through a pregame workout, the Lakers never seriously considered starting him Sunday in Dallas with a right ankle sprain. The team closes out the road trip with a back-to-back in Memphis and Oklahoma City, two road venues the Lakers haven’t been to yet this season.
Dennis Schröder started in place of Russell on Sunday, but if the Lakers have to go without James (29.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 7.0 apg) as well, they’ll likely be hurting for playmaking throughout their rotation.
Coach Darvin Ham optimistically painted James as “good,” but James was more guarded about his status: “We’ll monitor it the next couple days, see how it feels and go from there.”
James has already not been his best self since the All-Star break: For the second consecutive game, he shot under 50%, and he was just 1 for 6 on his 3-point looks.
But interestingly though he was dealing with his ankle in the second half, it was the more efficient period for James. After halftime, he was 6 for 12 from the field, notching two of his assists and a plus-12 in his minutes. In a few instances rather than spinning out for a fadeaway, he stepped through the double team to finish closer to the rim.
Very few players in the league have the versatility to revert from an aerial attack on the rim to a fundamental-based ground game. Austin Reaves teased of James’ stepthrough moves, “I told him stop watching my film.” But he gave a nod to James’ ability to change it up.
“When you’re that good, you can – I’m not gonna say, ‘Play with the game,’ but he’s obviously really athletic and if it hindered him a little bit rolling his ankle, he’s got that to go to,” Reaves said. “So it speaks to his skillset.”
