While some teams are peaking at just the right time with the playoffs on the horizon, the exact opposite is happening with the Los Angeles Lakers. A matchup against the reigning champions doesn’t figure to make things any easier, especially with the team nursing multiple injuries.
One of them is to superstar F LeBron James, who has a shift in his status ahead of a 10:30 p.m. ET tip-off vs. the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder.
Here’s the latest LeBron James injury update and how it could impact Tuesday night’s PrizePicks player projections for Thunder vs. Lakers.
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LeBron James Injury Update vs. Thunder Tonight
Coming into Tuesday’s game, the Lakers originally listed James as questionable due to left foot injury management. As the day progressed, however, that’s since changed. James is officially out on Tuesday night.
Injuries have plagued James, now 41 years old and in his 23rd season. He missed Los Angeles’ first 14 games as he recovered from sciatica and has since dealt with groin, ankle, foot, hip, and elbow issues. He’s managed to play in 57 games this campaign, averaging 20.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.1 assists on 51.2% shooting.
Recent games had seen James adjust to life as the Lakers’ third option. Playing in each of the club’s last 13 contests, he helped fuel a 10-3 record with his 54.4% field goal clip on a 22.5% usage rate.
L.A’s defense performs 0.2 points per 100 possessions worse when James isn’t on the floor, but its offense is 3.4 points worse. Despite that, The King continues to offer quality contributions for a team that desperately needs it.
The Lakers are 50-28, sitting a half-game back of the Denver Nuggets (No. 3 seed) and a game up on the Houston Rockets (No. 5 seed) in the Western Conference.
LeBron James Injury Impact: Which Lakers Players to Target?
Of course, James isn’t the only key Lakers piece missing in action on Tuesday. In last Thursday’s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, PG Luka Doncic and SG Austin Reaves suffered respective hamstring and oblique injuries.
Doncic went to Spain to receive an injection in hopes of returning at some point early in the postseason, whereas Reaves’ injury could see him miss four-to-six weeks. L.A. is also down G Marcus Smart (ankle) against the Thunder.
It’s difficult to see Los Angeles thriving vs. Oklahoma City given such absences. With that said, F Rui Hachimura (11.2 PPG on 51.0% shooting) could be in line for a nice outing.
In his last game, Sunday’s 134-128 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, the veteran forward logged 21 points and 7 rebounds while going 9-for-13 from the field. Per databallr, in minutes without James this year, his usage rate and true shooting percentage increase by 2.7% and 4.3%, respectively.
Someone’s got to take the shots with James, Doncic, Reaves, and Smart out. Could it be Hachimura?
Rui Hachimura vs. Thunder Projections, Picks
Here are some top Rui Hachimura projections vs. the Thunder tonight, via PrizePicks.
- 15.5 Points
- 4 Rebounds
- 0.5 Assists (Goblin)
- 21.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- 14.5 FG Attempted
- And More
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Make Thunder vs. Lakers Picks on PrizePicks
The Lakers and F LeBron James have their work cut out for them down the stretch. Even with James not playing vs. the Thunder, though, there are numerous other projections on the NBA board.
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