LeBron James let out an audible scream of pain during the Los Angeles Lakers' loss 120-113 to the Denver Nuggets -Credit:Getty
(Getty)LeBron James screamed in visible agony after crashing onto his left elbow late in the Los Angeles Lakers' 120-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.
The sequence unfolded in the fourth quarter shortly after Denver guard Julian Strawther fought through contact to convert a difficult six-foot driving floater in traffic, pushing the Nuggets' lead to two possessions. On the next possession, James initially set a screen for Austin Reaves before receiving the ball back at the top of the three-point line.
With the floor spaced, James, who recently explained why his daughter won't play basketball, exploded downhill toward the basket. Jamal Murray briefly faked off-ball help while Rui Hachimura remained planted in the corner, leaving James isolated one-on-one with three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
Meanwhile, WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale was arrest ed for an alleged Miami nightclub incident after winning the Unrivaled championship.
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James used his body to cut inside Jokic and finished the play with a smooth right-handed turning layup. But as he landed beneath t he rim, his left elbow slammed awkwardly as he spilled behind the basket's protective padded support structure.
The 22-time NBA All-Star immediately screamed in pain and initially appeared to grab his arm while lying under the basket. Commentators noted that he appeared to land "awkwardly" on the elbow as Jokic glanced toward officials before bringing the ball back up the floor.
The Lakers star left the court for treatment during the next timeout and missed roughly two minutes of game time. NBA fans online noted that James initially held both arms throughout the play.
James briefly returned with just over two minutes remaining but exited again before the final 22.3 seconds as the Lakers attempted a late comeback. After the game, James described the injury as an intensified version of striking his funny bone.
"It's pretty sore right now. It felt like one of those funny bone situations, but like, super more intense," he said. "We'll see what happens over the next couple of days. James then listed his status as day-to-day.
The four-time NBA champion also continued to express frustration with officials after believing he should have drawn a foul on the play against Jokic. James seemed more upset that he didn't earn a foul call than concerned about his cubital joint.
LeBron James returned to the game after the injury scare -Credit:Getty
"It's the same s---. 'Marginal.' It's the same s---. That's all they keep saying is 'marginal.' I'm so tired of that word," he continued. "It doesn't make no sense." The injury scare comes during another physically demanding season for the 23-year veteran.
The numbers show that James was available i n nearly 90 percent of his team's contests while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. Injuries have become more frequent since he joined the Lakers in 2018.
On Christmas Day of the 2018-19 season, James suffered a groin strain that kept him sidelined for 17 games, and in 2021, he suffered a high ankle sprain that kept him sidelined for 27 games. James also entered this season managing sciatica that forced him to miss his first season opener.
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