The Los Angeles Lakers season has been far from perfect thus far, but a monster performance from Anthony Davis helped them top the Phoenix Suns.
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LeBron James will likely return for Tuesday’s game against the New York Knicks as his injured right ankle has been pain-free after several days off. Lakers coach Frank Vogel said James was a full participant in practice Monday but did not officially reveal his status for Tuesday’s game.
James missed six weeks due to a high right ankle sprain before a two-game return against Toronto and Sacramento. He then missed the next four games in an attempt to rest the ankle.
The Lakers listed James as out for Tuesday’s game in a report released Monday evening. However, the last two times James came back from extended absences — returning from a groin injury in January 2019 and the ankle sprain earlier this season — the Lakers similarly listed James unfit, only to upgrade his status to questionable on game day morning before he eventually appeared in the starting line-up.
Los Angeles is No. 7 in the Western Conference, a full game behind No. 6 Portland. With back-to-back home games against the Knicks and Houston Rockets and on the road for games against the Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans.
The Lakers will raise their 2020 championship banner on the night of the Rockets game, with approximately 3,000 fans expected in attendance.
The Lakers have been extra cautious with James’ injury, as they’ll want him at full strength when the playoffs start next week. However, in LeBron’s absence, the Lakers have continuously slid down the West standings and now sit seventh.
It’s been a rocky few months for the Los Angeles Lakers, as the franchise has been forced to navigate long-term absences for superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
With James side-lined, Lakers fans could be excused for holding their breath with Davis back on the floor, but for this night at least, the eight-time all-star looked close to his best.
Davis poured in a season-high 42 points to go along with 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block, carrying the Lakers for much of the night as they topped the Phoenix Suns 123-110.
