The Los Angeles Lakers will be without superstar forward LeBron James, who is out indefinitely after he suffered a high ankle sprain during Saturday’s loss at home to the Atlanta Hawks, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
James was hurt when Hawks forward Solomon Hill collided with James’ right ankle while trying to steal the ball, a play that has left a lot of James’ Lakers teammates upset, and questioning Hill’s intentions. Hill was called for a foul for the play.
James, 36, immediately shouted in pain and rolled off the court while clutching his right leg.
“I haven’t necessarily seen him scream and scowl like that probably ever,” Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma said of James.
“A guy dove for a loose ball, took his leg out from up under him,” Lakers reserve Montrezl Harrell said of the play. “I really don’t feel like it was one of those loose-ball plays. He had to go through his leg to get the ball, man. He was turned sideways. The ball was behind him. I mean, you’re jumping at an angle, going across this way, I mean, I don’t know how you feel that’s a loose ball.”
James was averaging 25.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists heading into Saturday’s game. The Lakers will have a quick turnaround as they square off against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, and won’t have James, Anthony Davis, or Marc Gasol available.
