LeBron James Out Indefinitely With High-Ankle Sprain

The Los Angeles Lakers have been dealt another setback in the team’s quest for back-to-back championships. Superstar LeBron James suffered a high-ankle sprain during the team’s Saturday 94-99 loss against the Atlanta Hawks.

The injury occurred in the second quarter when Hawks forward Solomon Hill dove for a loose ball and fell onto James’ right ankle. As a result, the Lakers star writhed in pain holding his right ankle. James remained briefly in the game to score a corner three for his team before walking off the court to head into the team locker room.

After the team’s loss, head coach Frank Vogel did not provide an update on the 17-time All-Star’s condition. Later, it was reported that the superstar would undergo an MRI on his right ankle. The X-rays from the MRI came back negative. Since then, James was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain that would keep him out indefinitely.

James was frustrated that he was unable to come back to play for his team. “Nothing angers and saddens me more than not being available to and for my teammates! I’m hurt inside and out right now,” the All-Star said before promising a speedy recovery. “The road back from recovery begins now, back soon like I never left.”

The superstar’s injury was a huge blow for the Lakers, who are now without their two superstars. Fellow teammate and All-Star Anthony Davis is still out indefinitely with an Achilles tendinosis and a calf strain.

James was averaging 25.4 points per game, 7.9 assists, and 7.9 rebounds prior to his injury. The 36-year-old was currently one of the frontrunners in the MVP race. Meanwhile, the Lakers are currently the third seed in the Western Conference. Now that the team has both of their superstars out indefinitely, it’s going to be a tough road for the Lakers down the stretch. James can’t come back soon enough.