LeBron James Expected To Miss Game Versus Blazers

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is expected to miss the game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to an abdominal strain, according to Shams Charania of the Athletic. He will be out for a week with the strain, which occurred during the Lakers’ win over the Houston Rockets. Charania reports that the Lakers are choosing to be “cautious” with the injury given that it is so early in the NBA season.

James has already missed time due to an ankle injury; he sat out two of the Lakers’ first eight games with a sore right ankle after sustaining the injury in a game versus the Memphis Grizzlies in which Desmond Bane fell on James’ right leg.

James also missed a substantial amount of time in the 2020-21 season with a high ankle sprain to his right ankle. In total, James missed 26 games due to the injury.

Due to the injury, it is expected that former Blazer Carmelo Anthony will get more time against his one-time teammates.