Lakers Vs Knicks: LeBron Out, Lakers Forced Into Rotation Shift
Sunday at 1: 00 p. m. ET — Lakers fans and the team’s rotation will feel an immediate impact: LeBron James will miss his second straight game, forcing a lineup change and more minutes for role players in the lakers vs knicks matchup, the Lakers announced before the game.
LeBron James’ absence forces Lakers to rely on bench and Rui Hachimura
LeBron James, 41, will not play Sunday, and L. A. must adjust a rotation that has already gone 12-7 in his absence this season. That record without James frames the stakes: the Lakers will turn to Rui Hachimura — who started in place of James on Sunday — and other backups to fill scoring, playmaking and defensive duties the four-time MVP usually handles.
Lakers Vs Knicks: team downgrades James after elbow contusion and foot arthritis
The Lakers announced James is out after he suffered a left elbow contusion late in the fourth quarter of a 120-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets when he fell after absorbing contact from Nikola Jokic while scoring a layup. The team also cited left foot arthritis as part of the decision to keep him out for the second straight game Sunday.
JJ Redick lists Deandre Ayton, Maxi Kleber as available; Friday absences noted
Coach JJ Redick told reporters before the Knicks game that Deandre Ayton and Maxi Kleber — who both missed Friday’s 128-117 win against the Indiana Pacers along with James — would be available Sunday. Redick had earlier described James as contused and optimistic about availability, but the Lakers ultimately downgraded him to out for the matchup.
Still, Ayton and Kleber’s return from the earlier absence provides the Lakers with frontcourt options that could limit the minutes the team asks Hachimura and other reserves to shoulder in the lakers vs knicks game. The presence of Ayton and Kleber gives coach Redick multiple interior rotation choices that were unavailable on Friday.
James is averaging 21. 4 points on 50. 4% shooting, 5. 6 rebounds and 7. 0 assists in his record-setting 23rd season, and his statistical profile explains why his absence alters the Lakers’ offensive and defensive plans. This is the first time James has missed consecutive games all season since starting the 2025-26 campaign on the injured list for the first 14 games with sciatica affecting his lower back and right leg.
Late in the Nuggets game, James described the elbow as “pretty sore” after the play that led to the contusion and did not finish the final possessions. The injury and the decision to sit him Sunday follow the in-game sequence in Denver and the team’s medical assessment that led to the out designation before the matchup with New York.
Rui Hachimura starting in place of James on Sunday provides a clear substitution pattern for the Lakers in the short term. That lineup change shifts play-calling responsibilities and spacing on both ends of the floor and will test whether the Lakers can maintain the 12-7 record they hold in games without James.
JJ Redick previously had imaging done for Maxi Kleber and described the results as favorable, and he identified left knee soreness for Deandre Ayton after the Nuggets game. Those availability notes informed the decision to list Ayton and Kleber as available for Sunday even as James was ruled out.
If the Lakers reverse the out designation, the team would need to announce a change before Sunday’s tip-off.
