Unfortunate news for the Los Angeles Lakers! LeBron James won’t be playing due to pain in his left ankle.
The Lakers have a record of 22 wins and 22 losses, placing them at the 9th spot in the Western Conference. Interestingly, they’ve beaten their city rivals, the LA Clippers, twice, and the Clippers are currently at the 4th position with 27 wins and 14 losses.
Despite being 39 years old, LeBron James is having an outstanding season. He’s averaging 24.8 points, 7.4 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game. Impressively, his shooting percentages are 52% from the field and 39.1% from 3-pointers.
LeBron has been performing exceptionally well against the Clippers this season, contributing to the Lakers leading the series 2-0. Even though LeBron won’t be on the court, the game will still feature other star players like Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis.
The Clippers, aiming for their first win over the Lakers this season, need to stay focused after their recent comeback victory against the Brooklyn Nets.
LeBron James will be sitting out for the fifth time this season. The Lakers have won two games and lost two games without him so far.
In the NBA buzz, it seems the Lakers are interested in Dejounte Murray. However, there’s a hitch in the talks with the Hawks.
The Lakers are looking to add a guard before the Feb. 8 trade deadline, and Dejounte Murray seems to be their top pick. Murray, a former All-Star known for his defensive skills, fits well with what the Lakers need. However, there’s a problem in the talks with the Hawks about this trade.
Initially, there were rumors that the Hawks wanted young Lakers guard Austin Reaves in the deal. But now, the main issue seems to be about contracts. The Lakers and Hawks discussed a trade involving future draft picks and D’Angelo Russell’s contract. The Hawks, however, want another team to take on Russell’s contract. Despite Russell’s recent good performance, this contract issue is causing a delay in the trade.
Even though there’s a hiccup, there’s still time to sort things out before the Feb. 8 deadline. The Lakers are exploring different options, but Murray from the Hawks is the player they’ve been talking about the most.
Last year, the Lakers made a big deadline move to improve, and now they’re trying to do it again with Dejounte Murray. The current challenge is working out the details, particularly with D’Angelo Russell’s contract. If they can sort it out, a deal with the Hawks for Murray might be in the cards soon.
Dejounte Murray’s Basketball Journey:
San Antonio Spurs (2016–2022):
Selected by the San Antonio Spurs in 2016 as the 29th overall pick.
Started his NBA journey and made a strong impact in his rookie season.
Faced a setback with a season-ending injury in 2018 but made a resilient comeback.
Secured a significant contract extension with the Spurs in 2019.
Notched his first triple-double in 2020, showcasing his all-around skills.
Earned well-deserved recognition as an NBA All-Star in 2022.
Stood out with an impressive streak of 30+ points, 10+ rebounds, and minimal turnovers in consecutive games.
Atlanta Hawks (2022–present):
Traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 2022, bringing his talents to a new team.
Made a stellar debut with 20 points, 11 assists, and notable steals.
Achieved personal scoring highs of 36 and 39 points in different games.
Led the Hawks to victory with 29 points and 12 assists in 2023.
Showed his scoring prowess with a career-high 40 points and later, an even higher 41 points.
Played a key role in a crucial playoff game against the Boston Celtics.
Matched his career-high with 41 points in a game against the Timberwolves.
Secured a thrilling victory with a game-winning shot against the Orlando Magic.
Continued his clutch performances with another game-winning shot, this time against the Miami Heat.