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NBA superstar LeBron James’ return continues to be in doubt after the LA Lakers have listed him as questionable again. He was injured in the last five minutes of the Lakers’ game against the LA Clippers on November 9.
The Lakers initially informed the media that he tweaked his groin before further tests showed that he has a left adductor strain. James was very positive that he was fine and that he should be back on the court after a game or two.
Basketball fans haven't seen him play over the last four games and could miss more as his status remains questionable.
“King James” is still putting up great numbers in the 20th season of his NBA career. He’s averaging 24.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.9 assists. He has been struggling, however, from the three-point line where he’s hitting a career-low 23.9%.
Without James, Anthony Davis has been dominant in the LA Lakers’ three-game winning streak.
Meanwhile, Joel Embiid will miss Ben Simmons’ first game in Philly as he has been ruled out with a left midfoot sprain. Tonight was a date some NBA fans have been waiting for a long time as Philly’s prodigal son is finally healthy to play.
Last season, Simmons watched from the sidelines as the Brooklyn Nets drubbed the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. This would have been the first time the former teammates would have been on the court at the same time since the 2021 playoffs.
Joel Embiid has been on a tear since missing three games due to a non-Covid related illness. He highlighted his return with a jaw-dropping 59-point triple-double against the Utah Jazz last November 13.
The NBA’s reigning scoring champ injured his foot in a late-game collision with a teammate. He played 36 minutes in a losing cause against the Minnesota Timberwolves despite finishing with 32 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Former Sixth Man of the Year winner Montrezl Harrell is expected to see more playing time with Embiid sidelined.
Ja Morant: Left ankle sprain; Injured since November 18, 2022
Ja Morant left the game against the OKC Thunder last Friday after tweaking his ankle. The Memphis Grizzlies later called his injury a Grade 1 ankle sprain and was considered week-to-week. He missed his team’s last game versus the Brooklyn Nets.
Memphis has upgraded Morant’s status from out to doubtful, which will give hope to their fans that the NBA All-Star can play. It wouldn’t be surprising, though, if the Grizzlies continue to sideline him to give him more time to recover.
Tyus Jones has been handling starting point guard duties without Ja Morant. If “G12” is in street clothes tonight, he could make his return versus the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.
Nikola Jokic: Health and safety protocols since November 16, 2022
Back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic could miss his fourth straight game since entering the league’s health and safety protocols. It’s somewhat confusing why the Denver Nuggets have listed him as doubtful when he hasn’t been cleared from the protocols.
The Serbian superstar will likely not be around when the Nuggets host the Detroit Pistons tonight. Without Jokic, DeAndre Jordan and Zeke Nnaji have taken the "Joker's" place in the lineup.
Jokic’s return remains uncertain and he could still ramp up conditioning once he clears the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
