Is Lebron James playing tonight? Here’s the latest on Lakers vs. Hornets
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James speaks during a press conference before the NBA basketball All-Star game Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
LOS ANGELES – LeBron James is questionable for tonight’s game against the Charlotte Hornets at Crypto.com Arena due to what the Lakers described as “left foot soreness” three days after he missed the All-Star Game because of what the league called “foot/ankle discomfort.”
“It’s something that we managed all year and it was sore over the weekend,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said after Tuesday’s practice. “He was able to do most of practice today. But, like it’s been all year, like it’s a day-to-day thing. It’s just something that we’ve had to manage and we’ll continue to manage throughout the rest of the year.”
Recently acquired five-time All-NBA guard Luka Doncic will play more than the 23:33 and 23:06 he did in his first two games with the Lakers, Redick said.
“His minutes will be up tomorrow,” Redick said. “I don’t think there is going to be any sort of restrictions going forward.”
Doncic returned to action Feb. 10 after not playing since Dec. 25 because of a left calf sprain.
You may like: NBA: Luka Doncic energizes LeBron James as homestretch begins
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis, center top right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
The Lakers (32-20) had won six consecutive games and 10 of their last 11 before a 131-119 loss to the Utah Jazz last Wednesday in Salt Lake City in their final game before the all-star break.
The Lakers are fifth in the Western Conference, a half-game of fourth-place Houston (34-21).
Charlotte (13-39) is 14th in the 15-team Eastern Conference. The Hornets have lost three consecutive games and nine of their past 10.
This will be the second of two games between the teams this season.
The Lakers were 112-107 winners Jan. 27 in Charlotte, North Carolina with the since-traded Anthony Davis scoring a game-high 42 points for the Lakers.
Oddsmakers have made the Lakers a 12- to 12 1/2-point favorite. ESPN’s matchup predictor give the Lakers an 86.4% chance of winning, Charlotte a 13.6% chance.
The 7 p.m. game will be televised by Spectrum SportsNet.
The game is the only one on Wednesday’s NBA schedule. The teams were supposed to meet Jan. 9 but the game was postponed because of the wildfires. (CNS)
