Lakers Start Without LeBron in Knicks – Lakers Meeting After Injury
In the Knicks – Lakers matchup, the Lakers will play Sunday without LeBron James, shifting starters and minutes to reserves and frontcourt options. Sunday at 4: 00 p. m. ET the team announced James would miss his second straight game because of a left elbow contusion and left foot arthritis.
Rui Hachimura Starts; Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber Available for Lakers
Rui Hachimura started in place of LeBron James on Sunday, and coach JJ Redick said Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber would be available for the game, giving Los Angeles multiple rotation options. The Lakers have gone 12-7 in games without James this season, and the club’s depth will be tested immediately in this home matchup.
How LeBron’s Absence Changes the Knicks – Lakers Game Plan
James’ absence removes the team’s primary scorer and playmaker from the Knicks – Lakers matchup; the 41-year-old is averaging 21. 4 points this season and his on-court floor spacing and play-creation will be absent for at least this game. The Lakers are 38-25 overall, and coaches must reassign ball-handling responsibilities and perimeter matchups ahead of the contest.
Injury Timeline: Elbow Collision with Nikola Jokic and Recent Minutes Lost
James hurt his left elbow in a late-game collision with Nikola Jokic during Thursday’s game in Denver and described the area as “pretty sore, ” saying it felt like a more intense funny-bone situation. The Lakers announced his absence about 75 minutes before tipoff after he went through a pregame routine to test his ability to play, and he had also missed Friday’s win over Indiana with the same elbow contusion and left foot arthritis.
Still, James reached an NBA career milestone earlier in that Denver game, setting the league record for career field goals, but his pursuit of Robert Parish’s record for career games played — Parish’s 1, 611 regular-season games versus James’ 1, 606 — was delayed by this absence. James has sat out 20 of the Lakers’ first 64 games this season and missed the first 14 games while recovering from sciatica.
For now, the Lakers will lean on Hachimura, Ayton and Kleber to cover the minutes James would have eaten and to preserve rotation continuity during a stretch with limited rest. The team is in a five-week run with no consecutive days off and has three more home games next week before embarking on a six-game road trip. If James remains out, L. A. will rely on the available frontcourt mix to carry him through that upcoming road swing.
