After going down in the middle of the fourth quarter of Game 5 against the Timberwolves with a knee injury, LeBron James was able to return to the court and finish the game. But in the wake of the Lakers‘ loss, which ended their season, it was revealed that he had suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain.
In an episode of James’ “Mind The Game” podcast with Steve Nash, the Lakers star shed more light on that injury and his path forward.
“I knew as soon as when the impact happened with me and [Donte] DiVincenzo, I felt it right away,” James said. “My knee locked up, and that’s why I kind of stayed on the ground for quite a minute to see if the knee will kind of release a little bit. But I knew right then and there was a pain that I hadn’t felt before.”
James reflected on the latter point, discussing how this was a unique experience in his 22-year career: “I’ve had the regular tendonitis and the patella, all that stuff, but this is the first time I’ve ever had a sustained knee injury where I had to, like, okay, you got to get off your feet.”
James told Nash that he had initially planned on waiting and assessing his pain level before getting his MRI, but when he woke up the next day, he knew it was dire enough to get the situation checked out immediately.
“Well, when I woke up Thursday morning and tried to get out of bed, I was like, holy s–t,” he said. “And I called Doc right away. I said, ‘I can’t wait till Friday. I need to go today.'”
James confirmed that if the Lakers had won Game 5, he likely would’ve been unavailable for the rest of the series “and even further.”
If there’s a silver lining to the injury – other than the fact that thanks to the Wolves taking care of business in five games, James’ record of playing in 292 straight playoff games without missing time to injury remains intact – it’s that his recovery process won’t involve surgery. With the season behind James and the Lakers, he has plenty of time to complete the four-to-six week rehab period and still get the rest of his conditioning in before next season starts.
While James has been noncommittal about his future, both in the NBA and with the Lakers in light of his looming player option for the 2025/26 season, his comments seemed to indicate his plans on playing next season.
“I have some time to get it right and get back to full strength as far as I need,” he told Nash.
Time to retire.
What a career.
If he retires, he’s still rtiring at the top. Olympic gold medal, all star, etc. it’s not a bad way to go!
But then Bronny gets waived.
No he doesn’t, his contract is guaranteed.
And you think guaranteed contracts can’t be waived or head coaches fired with years left. lol.
I’m shocked to see this LeBron injury story right after the Lakers were eliminated.
SMH does he need to use the injut ry as an excuse. Lakers lost the seaosn is over. If what LeBron is saying he hurt his team’s chances by not going to the bench and letting a player with injury play. That seems more selfish to play at 50% because you think you need to be out there.
It’s ok Golden State will be with them in Cancun in a few games too
You never know warriors won one game with only one quarter of Curry. If they play great defense they can win without Curry.
We do know though.
Funny how warriors playeda bad game experimenting with lineup and people like you claim the series is over. I know you will disappear if the warriors win the series.
@arc
what’s sad is that he likely had a serious injury that he never complained about but became public and ppl criticized him like he was using it as an excuse. smh… this guy gets zero respect. he literally can’t please anyone. I would be tempted to retire beefsteak you could leave the game blocked and crippled and give it your all and ppl would still have siding behave to say. who I’m the world would’ve come of of that bench and contributed more than 29/9/6/2/2 playing center??
He should have walked off the floor if he was injured. They needed healthy players on the floor.
Yes because I’m sure if he had walked off none of you lebron haters would have had anything to say about that either right? All of you lebron haters act like jealous ex girlfriends that no matter what your ex does he wrong. The guy could come out and say water is wet and your knee jerk reaction would be he is somehow wrong.
Get off it Chris Mullin
Cry me a river!
He can play another 2 years with load management.
Kawhi burner account
#1: 2017, 1-4 vs Warriors (Finals)
#2: 2023, 0-4 vs Nuggets (WCF)
_______________
Unranked as of now:
2014, 1-4 vs Spurs (Finals)
2021, 2-4 vs Suns (WCFR)
2011, 2-4 vs Mavs (Finals)
Next up for my TOP 10 FAVORITE LeBRON PLAYOFF EXITS……..
2018, 0-4 vs Warriors (Finals)
This one had a little bit of everything: LeBron getting swept (2nd time in Finals), LeBron throwing a tantrum on live TV, LeBron quitting on his team, LeBron sustaining an off-court injury early in the series and the general public not learning about it until all was swept and done, and the cold hard truth that star players were finally (and thankfully) NOT so interested in being LeBron’s teammate (Kyrie Irving).
J.R. Smith was the easy scapegoat for many, but his Game 1 blunder didn’t cost the Cavs the win. It was LeBron’s reaction that cost the Cavs the win – showing up his teammate, then unleashing full-blown negative vibes on the bench between regulation and overtime. How could ANYONE in their right mind call him “a leader” after that display of immaturity? This is the problem right there for you: the 2018 Cavs didn’t really HAVE a true on-court leader. If LeBron WAS that guy, he would have quickly turned the page after Smith’s mistake. He would have made eye contact with or talked to Smith during that infamous huddle. A true leader would not throw a tantrum for all the world to see when a teammate accidentally lets him down. Perhaps LeBron came to the realization his suspect behavior in those Finals would be difficult to shake, so this was why he felt he had no choice but to leave the Cavs a second time in order to quickly change the ‘narrative’ to something more positive, turning the attention towards his new digs/opportunities in LA. It was a rather calculated move in an otherwise heavily choreographed/scripted career.
*also previously included: 2025, 1-4 vs Wolves (WCFR)
So that brings the tally to SEVEN; three to go, and then will peacefully and quietly keep fingers LOOSELY crossed for his retirement announcement – doubtful though.
Karma for diving into Ant’s ankle and injuring him.
That was the warriors
Yes, Trace stepped on Ants ankle after Lebron drove for the ball into Ants ankle in the Lakers series. Google is your friend.
lebron is so hard to like corn ball
You actually know nothing about sports. Bravo.