Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is listed as doubtful for the upcoming game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to lingering soreness in his left ankle, as announced by the team on Monday. This ongoing ankle issue has been a concern for James for several months, with his last absence related to it coincidentally occurring during a previous victory over the Bucks on March 8.
During the game against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, James played a significant role, logging 38 minutes on the court and contributing 26 points along with 10 assists in the Lakers' 150-145 win. Despite his impressive performance, his availability for the upcoming road trip remains uncertain.
If James is unable to play, Spencer Dinwiddie is expected to fill in for him, as he did during the previous matchup against Milwaukee. The Lakers are set to embark on a challenging six-game road trip, starting with the game against the Bucks, as they currently hold the 9th spot in the competitive Western Conference with only 11 games left in the regular season.
Guard D'Angelo Russell, who missed the game against the Pacers due to a non-COVID illness, is expected to be available for the upcoming game against Milwaukee, providing additional depth to the Lakers' lineup.
James acknowledged the tough road trip ahead, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their performance and playing quality basketball. The Lakers are currently trailing the Phoenix Suns by 3 games for the 6th seed in the conference, a position they aim to secure to avoid the play-in tournament. They also hold a 2.5-game lead over the 10th seed Golden State Warriors.
