MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – FEBRUARY 28: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on February 28, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
How long LeBron James will be out with a foot injury is an open question. But seeing him on the Lakers’ sidelines in a walking boot isn’t a good sign.
The Lakers’ season took a massive turn with the news Monday that he had suffered a foot injury in a weekend game against the Mavs and he would be out for an indefinite period. The lack of clear information about the injury and timeline allows fans to lean into their natural optimism or pessimism, whatever the case may be.
But seeing LeBron in a full walking boot on the sideline during Tuesday night’s game against the Grizzlies might make it a lot harder to feel optimistic.
The Lakers ended up dropping the game to Memphis, 121-109. Troy Brown Jr. who started in place of LeBron finished with 2 points on 1-of-7 shooting, and 0-of-4 from beyond the arc.
Can the Lakers make the playoffs without LeBron James?
FiveThirtyEight projects the Lakers to finish with a 41-41 record, ninth-best in the Western Conference, with just a 47 percent chance of making the playoffs. But even that would require a significant improvement from where they are right now. To make the projection into reality they would need to finish 12-8 over their last 20 games, leapfrogging the Pelicans, Jazz and Trail Blazers in the standings.
That’s a tall order when the Lakers have been outscored by an average of 7.4 points per 100 possessions without LeBron on the floor this season. Even with their new roster additions, that mark hasn’t been much better — minus-4.7 points per 100 possessions in 196 minutes without LeBron since the trade deadline. It’s hard to imagine them winning 60 percent of their remaining games at that level.
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