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Four-time NBA MVP LeBron James of the LA Lakers has been upgraded to doubtful ahead of their matchup tonight against the Chicago Bulls. LA changed the reason for his inclusion in the injury report from a right foot injury to right foot soreness.
This is the biggest injury development in the NBA since “King James” emerged out of the American Airlines Center in a walking boot. James injured his right foot on February 26 after leading the Lakers to a 27-point come-from-behind victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
James has now missed 13 straight games while recovering from the said injury. Various reports came out about his potential return, which pushed him to tweet this:
“There wasn’t an evaluation today and there hasn’t been any target date for my return. I’m just working around the clock, every day (3X a day) to give myself to best chance of coming back to full strength whenever that is. God bless y’all sources. I speak for myself!”
The LA Lakers have spoken tonight by changing his status from out to doubtful. If the 19x NBA All-Star remains unavailable tonight for a meeting with former teammate Pat Beverley, he could return on Wednesday for their rematch.
Meanwhile, James’ teammate D’Angelo Russell is ruled questionable against the Bulls due to right hip soreness. He was in street clothes in the Lakers’ 116-111 win over the OKC Thunder last Friday because of the same issue.
Darvin Ham, during the post-game interview, expressed confidence that their starting point guard’s injury wasn’t serious. The former NBA All-Star could be a game-time decision tonight.
“DLo” is averaging 18.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 11 games for the Lakers. Russell’s 39.5% shooting from behind the arc has significantly unclogged the lane for Anthony Davis to operate.
If D’Angelo Russell remains out, Dennis Schroder, who has been playing great, could be re-inserted into the starting lineup.
Jayson Tatum: Left hip contusion; Injured since: March 15, 2023
Jayson Tatum is questionable for the Boston Celtics tonight against the San Antonio Spurs. He has had that designation since falling on his hip after a thunderous dunk versus the Minnesota Timberwolves last March 15.
Despite questionable status over his last four games, this year’s NBA All-Star game MVP hasn’t missed any action. The Celtics, however, have a tough stretch ahead of them, including matchups against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 30 and the Philadelphia 76ers on April 4.
Boston may choose to keep the four-time All-Star sidelined tonight against a team with one of the worst records in the NBA.
If Jayson Tatum isn’t in uniform tonight, he could rejoin the Celtics on Tuesday versus the Washington Wizards.
Damian Lillard: Right calf tightness: Injured since March 24, 2023
NBA star Damian Lillard has been ruled out by the Portland Trail Blazers when they host the OKC Thunder. He may be done for the season based on Shams Charani’s report:
“The Portland Trail Blazers are leaning toward shutting down All-Star Damian Lillard for the season's final nine games. The franchise is seriously considering taking precautions as Lillard deals with a calf injury and the team is 3.5 games out of Play-In Tournament race.”
The Blazers hold a 32-41 record, 3.5 games behind the Thunder (36-38) for the 10th seed and final play-in slot. Lillard has played 58 games this season, averaging a career-high 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists.
