The Los Angeles Lakers need LeBron James to be Iron Man in order to have a shot this season. Unfortunately however, they are getting a reminder that the only true Iron Man is Tony Stark.
James spoke with reporters after team practice on Tuesday and made some concerning comments about the knee injury that he is currently battling.
“It’s the same as my ankle, when I had the high ankle sprain last year,” said James. “The only way it’ll be back to full strength is rest, and I don’t have the luxury of having rest. So gonna have to wait till the offseason.”
James’ high-ankle sprain last year derailed the Lakers’ season. He missed 26 of the team’s final 30 regular season games and still did not have the same lift in the playoffs, where the Lakers lost in the first round to Phoenix.
This year, James has battled swelling in his left knee, which recently forced him into a five-game absence. He is now playing through the injury, but it is extremely worrisome to hear him admit that it will only get better with rest … rest that he cannot afford to have.
The Lakers are significantly worse when James sits, forcing them to lean on him for his heaviest minutes since he was in Cleveland. But the Lakers are still 26-31 overall, and James is starting to sound very frustrated. All the tread on the 37-year-old’s tires may finally be catching up to him.
Photo: Jan 21, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) against the Orlando Magic during the first quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
