The Los Angeles Lakers’ entrance into the final stretch of the season was marred by a frustrating 128-110 loss to the Golden State Warriors. But, coach Darvin Ham hinted at the anticipated comeback of LeBron James, potentially boosting the team for Friday’s game.
With the team pinning their hopes on the leadership of a 39-year-old James, his on-court presence has been scarce, totaling just 14 minutes of game time over the past ten days. Remarkably, all of these minutes were confined to the NBA All-Star Game, an event known more for its festive atmosphere than competitive rigor.
After sitting out the Lakers’ previous game before the All-Star break due to discomfort in his left ankle, James made the decision to rest once more on Thursday to prioritize the healing process. Insider sources disclosed that James had sought treatment for his ankle during the break, emphasizing his commitment to full recovery.
In a test of endurance for both teams on the second night of a back-to-back, L.A. welcomes the San Antonio Spurs to their home court. The Spurs, coming off a 127-122 road loss to the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, look to bounce back in the face of another challenging matchup.
“We’ll get an official word [Friday] morning and see, but in all likelihood, he should be out there tomorrow,” Ham said of James.
With James absent from action on Thursday, Anthony Davis, the Lakers’ other key player, appeared to be lacking his usual vocal presence, highlighting the team’s double dilemma.
As dawn broke on Thursday, Anthony Davis found himself battling a sore throat, and as the hours passed, his voice dwindled to a mere whisper.
Despite his commendable performance of 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks, Davis struggled to string together coherent sentences during his postgame exchange with Austin Reaves, his voice reduced to a faint rasp, making it challenging for him to direct defensive plays as the linchpin of L.A.’s defensive setup.
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“You’re not going to get through a game like this with that type of firepower with that type of head of the snake, in terms of Steph [Curry], without everyone talking and being alert and ready and doing our work early and being in position early,” Ham said. “It’s times when you have to give multiple efforts and you have to yell and communicate with your teammates.
“[Davis] having a little trouble with his voice tonight definitely impacted the game. My hat’s off to him. He still came out and did the best job he could under the circumstances. … It’s not just him. Everyone has to talk and cover for their teammates.”
Adding to their woes, the Lakers faced yet another hurdle as they coped with the continued absences of Jarred Vanderbilt, Cam Reddish, and Gabe Vincent, while Christian Wood’s absence due to swelling in his left knee further strained the team.
In his remarks, Ham hammered on the critical need to prioritize wellness as they work towards their goals. He noted the importance of bringing players back into the fold to strengthen the team’s lineup.