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LeBron James, the LA Lakers’ four-time NBA MVP, is again on the team’s injury report as probable due to left ankle soreness. He has had that status in his past seven games. James has played in all of them, except when he was a late scratch due to a non-Covid related illness last Jan. 4.
Unless there’s a setback to his status, he should be available tonight when they visit back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
The Lakers are undefeated this year and are on a five-game winning streak. They’ve been on a hot roll, particularly because “King James” has been playing at an MVP level.
In his past 10 games, he’s been averaging 34.3 points, 7.6 assists and 7.3 rebounds. Since turning 38 years old, he’s averaged a mind-boggling 38 points.
LA owns a 2-1 edge in the season series against Denver and is looking to close out their head-to-head matchup with another victory.
Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook heads into the Nuggets game with the same status as LeBron James due to left foot soreness. He showed no signs of that injury when they beat the Sacramento Kings 136-134 last Saturday.
The former NBA MVP played 34 minutes against the Kings and finished with 23 points, five rebounds and a game-high 15 assists. Westbrook turned his season around by becoming the Lakers’ Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
Over his past 10 games, “Russ” is averaging 15.1 points, 8.6 assists and 7.2 rebounds. He’s been a crucial part of the Lakers’ five-game winning run.
Westbrook is expected to be in uniform when the LA Lakers battle the Denver Nuggets in Mile High City.
Marcus Smart: Left knee contusion; Injured since January 7, 2023
Marcus Smart was a casualty in the Boston Celtics’ win over the San Antonio Spurs two nights ago. The reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year left the game in the third quarter due to a left knee injury. He limped back to the locker room after his knee appeared to collide with one of the Spurs players.
Smart has been diagnosed with a left knee contusion and could miss the Celtics’ game tonight versus the Chicago Bulls. He has not reportedly joined the Celtics’ last practice, which is a sign that he could be in street clothes against the Bulls.
He is averaging 11.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, a career-best 7.2 assists and 1.3 steals this season for the defending NBA Eastern Conference champs. Smart’s defense has slackened a little bit, but his playmaking and shotmaking have improved for the league-leading Celtics.
Malcolm Brogdon is expected to be inserted into the starting lineup if Marcus Smart misses his fifth game of the season.
Alex Caruso: Right ankle sprain; Injured since January 4, 2023
Alex Caruso sprained his right ankle in the first quarter of the Chicago Bulls' 121-112 win over the Brooklyn Nets last Wednesday. The victory snapped the Nets’ 12-game winning streak and started a three-game run for the Bulls.
Caruso has now missed back-to-back games since then and could be unavailable for a third one tonight versus the Boston Celtics.
The one-time NBA champ is averaging 5.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists this season. He remains one of the league’s best and most versatile defenders.
Goran Dragic and Coby White could see more minutes if Caruso sits out.
