Is LeBron James playing tonight? Latest injury update for Knicks vs Lakers, January 31
The New York Knicks are set to play on national television for the third time in the span of a week with the Los Angeles Lakers in town. The Knicks have had two full days to rest after Saturday’s loss to the Nets, while the Lakers are playing the second half of a back-to-back after being in Brooklyn on Monday night.
LeBron James, who is 117 points away from passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, was ruled out of Monday’s game with left ankle soreness. Anthony Davis also didn’t play due to rest after he played in LA’s previous two games against San Antonio and Boston. Davis missed 20 games with a stress injury in his right foot before returning against the Spurs.
Davis sitting out against Brooklyn was viewed as more of a precautionary measure so that he wouldn’t have to play in back-to-back games after he recently returned from an injury. He’s listed as probable for Tuesday.
The Lakers have won two of their last five games and sit at the bottom of the Western Conference with a 23-28 record. After leaving New York, Los Angeles will have two more stops on its road trip before returning to Southern California to host Oklahoma City on Feb. 7.
LeBron James’ injury status tonight vs Knicks:
Ahead of LA’s game against Brooklyn, Darvin Ham said that LeBron James was experiencing “some really significant soreness” in his left foot. LeBron was evaluated first thing Tuesday morning and will reportedly play tonight against the Knicks.
LeBron James will play tonight against the New York Knicks, sources told ESPN. It will be his first game at Madison Square Garden since January 2020.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 31, 2023
LeBron James injury history:
LeBron James has missed 11 games this season for the Lakers. He’s dealt with foot, adductor, ankle, and hamstring injuries this year.
The Lakers are 4-7 in games played without LeBron in 2022-23.
Full Lakers injury report vs Knicks:
Austin Reaves (hamstring) is out for the Lakers and will be re-evaluated on Thursday and Patrick Beverley (left knee soreness) is also out. Scotty Pippen Jr. and Cole Swider (G League two-way) are with South Bay.
Davis (right foot stress injury) is listed as probable.
Full Knicks injury report vs Lakers:
Mitchell Robinson (thumb) is the only Knicks player that will be out on Tuesday.
Knicks upcoming schedule and opponents
New York will play three more games at home before going on a two-game road trip.
- vs Miami Heat: Thursday, Feb. 2
- vs Los Angeles Clippers: Saturday, Feb. 4
- vs Philadelphia Sixers: Sunday, Feb. 5
- at Orlando Magic: Tuesday, Feb. 7
- at Philadelphia Sixers: Friday, Feb. 10
