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LeBron James is listed as "doubtful" heading into tonight's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. He hurt his knee three games into the Lakers' six-game road trip and has been unavailable since.
Things have not panned out as the Lakers had hoped after the acquisition of triple-double king Russell Westbrook. However, there is still time for them to turn it around.
With a top-four finish unlikely, the Lakers will shift their focus to achieving a top-six seed and avoiding the play-in tournament. They currently trail the sixth-seeded Denver Nuggets by 4.5 games.
In order to achieve a desirable seed, they'll almost certainly need James back as soon as possible.
What is LeBron James' status for tonight's game against the Portland Trail Blazers?
After three consecutive losses, the LA Lakers need LeBron James in order to turn things around if they are to have a successful season. They are currently ranked ninth in the Western Conference standings with a 24-27 record.
Unfortunately, with his doubtful status, it remains to be seen if the Lakers will have their star back in the lineup for tonight's game.
James has been dependable for the Lakers since missing eight games earlier in the season due to a rectus abdominis strain. He put together an impressive run and leads the league in 30-point games.
When will LeBron James return?
So far, no official date has been given for James' return. However, his status as "doubtful" leads to the belief that he's trending in the right direction, having been listed as "out" in the last three games.
There is a chance he would feature tonight against the Trail Blazers, as the Lakers are desperate for a win, but reports suggest he might miss this game too.
How does LeBron James' absence impact the LA Lakers?
The Lakers have lost each of the three games James has missed, even with the return of Anthony Davis. They have a 5-10 record this season without James on the floor.
The four-time NBA champion has averaged 29.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.6 steals this season, so his impact cannot be understated.
