NBA Injury Report: LeBron James probable, Anthony Davis probable and more updates on Donovan Mitchell and Dejounte Murray | December 9, 2022

LeBron James, arguably the face of the NBA, has been listed by the LA Lakers as probable for tonight’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers. LA sidelined him on the second night of a back-to-back on Wednesday in Toronto.

He is on the injury list due to a sore left foot, which has been his status for over a week already.

The four-time NBA MVP last played on his return to Cleveland when he played for 36 minutes. He led his team in scoring (21), rebounds (17) and assists (4) in a losing effort without Anthony Davis.

James has played 17 of the LA Lakers’ 24 games this season. He is averaging 25.8 points, career-high 9.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists. “King James” has accepted his role as Robin to Anthony Davis’ Batman for the Lakers.

Barring any significant setback to his sore left foot, LeBron James should be available tonight in Philly.

Meanwhile, Anthony Davis has been upgraded to probable as well. AD missed the Lakers’ last game due to flu-like symptoms and played just eight minutes versus the Cleveland Cavaliers last Wednesday.

Davis, who was named the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Week, played like an MVP before the flu. He has been putting up numbers that will push him into the best player in the league conversation if he can sustain it.

Anthony Davis is averaging 27.3 points, an NBA-best 12.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.3 blocks this season. Like LeBron James, he is expected to return to action for the LA Lakers tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Joel Embiid is not on the 76ers’ injury report, so tonight should be a slambang affair between two of the NBA’s elite big men.

---

Donovan Mitchell: Right lower leg soreness; Injured since December 6, 2022

Donovan Mitchell is questionable tonight for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

A day after dropping a season-high 43 points against LeBron James and the LA Lakers, Donovan Mitchell complained of lower right leg soreness. The NBA All-Star guard played a game-high 40 minutes and was the biggest reason the Cleveland Cavaliers spoiled James’ homecoming.

He is listed as questionable when the Cavs take on the Sacramento Kings. Mitchell has unquestionably been Cleveland’s biggest offensive threat this season. He is averaging a career-high 29.0 points, hitting career-best efficiency in his field-goal attempts at 49.6%, including 42.4% from deep.

It remains unclear how sore Mitchell’s leg is and will be monitored during the Cavs' morning shootaround. If the discomfort persists, he could miss just his third NBA game this season.

Caris LeVert, Cedi Osman and Isaac Okoro could see their minutes go up if Mitchell is sidelined.

---

Dejounte Murray: Left ankle sprain; Injured since December 7, 2022

Dejoutne Murray will miss at least two weeks due to a sprained left ankle.

Dejounte Murray sprained his ankle in a game against the New York Knicks last Wednesday. The NBA All-Star guard played just four minutes and scored two points in a very unfortunate outing.

The Atlanta Hawks conducted an MRI and diagnosed Murray with a left ankle sprain, which will cause him to miss multiple games. There’s no timetable set for Murray’s return.

Atlanta has been riddled with injuries over the past few weeks. John Collins has been ruled out while De’Andre Hunter is questionable due to a right hip flexor strain.

Trae Young was not on the injury report but missed practice due to illness. With the Hawks’ lineup depleted with injuries, everyone on the roster should see their minutes go up. Bogdan Bogdanovic, who just returned from a long layoff, could be forced to play more when Atlanta battles the Brooklyn Nets.