The Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff hopes have taken a massive hit after going 4-1 since the trade deadline.
LeBron James has been ruled out for an extended period of time due to a foot injury he suffered in the Lakers’ historic win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Lakers fans are devastated to see their playoff push come to a possible early and unceremonious end with James getting hurt.
Sources: There's fear Lakers star LeBron James is likely to miss an extended period of time with his right foot injury. James suffered the injury in Sunday's win over Dallas, played through it, and belief is he will be sidelined an indefinite amount.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 28, 2023
Anthony Irwin looked at the silver lining by pointing out the Lakers’ superior depth after the trade deadline, “I’ll say this: I’m still glad the Lakers went for it at the deadline. LeBron or AD getting hurt was always the risk, but the moves they made set them up for next season too in case this year is toast. This group also has a better chance at surviving James’ absence.”
I'll say this: I'm still glad the Lakers went for it at the deadline. LeBron or AD getting hurt was always the risk, but the moves they made set them up for next season too in case this year is toast. This group also has a better chance at surviving James' absence.
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) February 28, 2023
Popular Lakers fan LakeShowYo shared a hilarious video to express sadness, “LeBron out indefinitely and expected to miss an extended period of time.”
LeBron out indefinitely and expected to miss an extended period of time 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/5ehY9zgsTl
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) February 28, 2023
StatMuse pointed out how bad the Lakers have been when LeBron is injured in his Lakers’ tenure, “Lakers are 5-9 without LeBron this season. 36-62 without him since he moved to LA.”
Lakers are 5-9 without LeBron this season.
36-62 without him since he moved to LA. pic.twitter.com/ijLn7JSYOS
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 28, 2023
Another fan is optimistic that the Lakers’ depth can keep their playoff push alive, “I’m not giving up man. We have a real squad now and gotta pray LeBron only misses a month. Let him rest, make the play-in, and get the job done in the playoffs with a healthy LeBron, AD, and DLo.”
I'm not giving up man. We have a real squad now and gotta pray LeBron only miss a month. Let him rest, make the play-in and get the job done in the playoffs with a healthy LeBron, AD, and DLo.
We believe, @Lakers. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/l0M68sJ0Qu
— Ryan Rueda (@iDude14) February 28, 2023
Another Lakers fan shared a hilarious video compilation to convey his feelings of distraught, “How Laker fans took the LeBron News.”
How Laker fans took the Lebron News: pic.twitter.com/vbjSKeQzgl
— The Pettiest Laker Fan 🤫 (@ThePettiestLA) February 28, 2023
A similar joke was made by another fan, “‘LeBron out indefinitely’ Me later on IG.”
“Lebron out indefinitely”
Me later on IG: pic.twitter.com/ZvRP22ezuu
— vic (@CountOnVic) February 28, 2023
Fans also started giving LeBron credit for risking his health to keep the Lakers in the playoff race up until now, “LeBron played through an injury that will sideline him indefinitely for an extended period. I hope Sunday put to rest any notion that he doesn’t care about winning. He wants it bad. Hope the squad can hold the fort down for him.”
LeBron played through an injury that will sideline him indefinitely for an extended period.
I hope Sunday put to rest any notion that he doesn’t care about winning. He wants it bad. Hope the squad can hold the fort down for him.
— Richard Staple, BSN, RN🇯🇲 (@RichStapless) February 28, 2023
There’s no timetable for a return, but it’s widely expected that LeBron James won’t return to the floor in March. How long he actually takes to return may depend on the Lakers’ position in the standings.
Can The Lakers Make The Playoffs Without LeBron?
LeBron James had his worst game of the season a couple of nights ago and saw his teammates put in incredible performances to win the game. Even against the Mavericks, James was arguably the third-best Laker on the floor behind Anthony Davis and Jarred Vanderbilt.
They have the talent to be competent but digging out from below .500 won’t be easy without James’ influence on the squad. Hopefully, we see the MVP Anthony Davis we saw earlier this season when James first got hurt. With the supporting cast far better now, a lot of responsibility will fall on Davis’ shoulders.
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