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LeBron James says leg's sore after collision, hopes to be ready for Tuesday vs. Spurs

Cassandra Negley
WNBA and women's college basketball reporter
·2 min read
14

LeBron James is hoping he'll be ready for the next game after avoiding serious injury during a collision under the basket Sunday night that was eerily similar to an incident last year.

James collided with Memphis Grizzlies forward Desmond Bane in the second quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers' 121-118 win and remained on the floor while he was seen by trainers. Unlike the high ankle sprain last year that kept him out of 26 games, the 19-year veteran was able to return to the game after the right leg concern.

"The first thing I was thinking to myself was, 'Not again,'" James told reporters, via ESPN. "Because obviously it was almost similar but not the same kind of play. Guy falls into my leg and there's nothing you can do about it and I couldn't get my leg out of there in time."

He said after a game-high 40 minutes with 19 points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks that his leg felt "sore." He told reporters he planned to receive "around the clock" treatment to be able to play Tuesday on the road against the San Antonio Spurs (1-2).

"Hopefully I'm ready to go," he said.

James' near injury scare

The injury scare happened at 6:27 in the second quarter when Dwight Howard attempted to block Bane. The shot went through and Bane bumped Howard, sending both to the floor.

As Bane fell, he collided into the right leg of James, who was focused on the rim and didn't see the player coming at him.

James remained on the floor for a few minutes and the Lakers took a time out for the medical staff to come out to him.

"[I] just wanted to take a moment on the floor, just hopefully it wasn't getting worse," James said about the moments after the contact, via ESPN. "Had an opportunity just to tie my shoe again and see if I'm able to go. I was able to continue to go."

The moment was similar to the ankle sprain he suffered in March. In that one, Atlanta Hawks forward Solomon Hill fell on his ankle while going for a loose ball that James possessed only moments before.

James stayed in the game, hit a 3-pointer and exited. He was ruled out indefinitely and ultimately missed 26 games.

Sunday's win was the Lakers' first of the season after two losses to open the 2021-22 campaign.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after colliding with Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Los Angeles, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after colliding with Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (39) during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies in Los Angeles, Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)