The struggling Los Angeles Lakers are in need of their best player, but he has missed the last two games due to an injury and personal absence. That has led to questions about his availability for the team's next game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, December 15th.
Although the Lakers will be at home, they will need a mostly healthy roster to beat the Grizzlies led by Ja Morant. With the Lakers currently 10th in the Eastern Conference standings, one loss could send them tumbling down to 12th with several teams within one game of each other.
While it is only one game in December, Los Angeles has clearly been struggling and could end up needing this game for playoff seeding purposes, especially for tiebreaking scenarios. Doing so will be easier said than done, however, with Los Angeles being banged up at the moment.
Los Angeles Lakers full injury report versus the Memphis Grizzlies.
Joining LeBron on the Lakers injury report are Jalen Hood-Schifino, Jaxson Hayes, Christian Wood, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Anthony Davis. All except Davis are expected to miss Sunday's game against the Grizzlies.
Hood-Schifino is sidelined with a hamstring injury, Jaxson Hayes is out with an ankle injury, and Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt are both out with knee injuries. Davis is listed as probable with plantar fasciitis; however, giving them a chance to win even if the prime ultimately sits.
Interestingly enough, LeBron is listed as questionable with a foot injury, making it a 50-50 shot that he will play in tonight's game against Memphis. After he initially wanted to play all 82 games, he has missed the last two and couldn't miss a third straight game, although he could very well return tonight against the Grizzlies.
Memphis Grizzlies full injury report against the Los Angeles Lakers
On the other end of the court, the Grizzlies are also banged up and will be missing GG Jackson, Vince Williams, and Zach Edey. On the plus side, rotation players Jay Huff and Marcus Smart both have a chance to play, with them being listed as questionable.
The Grizzlies have struggled all year with injuries, but they will at least have their big three of Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane in the starting lineup, giving them a major leg up, even on the road against the Lakers.
After seeing their 2022-23 season end at the hands of the Lakers, they will probably relish any chance they can get to exact some revenge against Los Angeles. While it is only a regular season game, they could hand the reeling Lakers yet another loss and further add to their turmoil with rumors swirling that their best player could demand a trade.
Ultimately, LeBron's status for the Lakers game against the Grizzlies is a toss-up. But he is listed as questionable, making his status seem closer to active for tonight's game than it otherwise might be.