LeBron James again out with knee soreness against Sixers originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Sixers’ 2021-22 regular season will not include any matchups against LeBron James.
The Lakers on Wednesday afternoon ruled James out (left knee soreness/effusion) ahead of a meeting with the Sixers. James also missed the Lakers’ Jan. 27 loss in Philadelphia with knee soreness.
Meanwhile, it appears the Sixers should have both Joel Embiid and James Harden available after the two All-Stars missed Monday’s surprising win over the Heat. With 11 games left, the team will be cognizant of Harden’s workload and aim to avoid any problems related to the left hamstring injury that sidelined him earlier this year.
In addition to James, Los Angeles is down Anthony Davis (right mid-foot sprain) and Kendrick Nunn (right knee bone bruise). Talen Horton-Tucker was questionable with a left ankle sprain.
The 37-year-old James’ 30.0 points per game lead the NBA. Close behind are Embiid (29.8), Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.7) and Kevin Durant (29.6). James had played in 18 of the Lakers’ last 19 games and exceeded 40 minutes Monday, recording a 38-point triple-double in a victory over the Cavs.
Wednesday’s game is the 44-27 Sixers’ first of a three-game West Coast road trip that will next feature the Clippers and Suns. The Sixers’ 23-11 road record is the Eastern Conference’s best.
The Lakers are ninth in the Western Conference standings at 31-41. They’re 6-12 this year without their 18-time All-Star.
As a rookie, Tyrese Maxey played a total of just six minutes against the Lakers. He’ll be among the players in the spotlight Wednesday after he closed Miami out with serious style, making two clutch three-pointers and a chase-down block on Caleb Martin. Following that 28-point performance, he’s averaging 17.4 points. Tyrese Haliburton and Desmond Bane are the league’s only other sophomores posting at least 15 per game and shooting at least 40 percent from long range.
“He’s just not scared,” Sixers head coach Doc Rivers said Monday. “He’s so comfortable in the moment. My guess is as much as he works … he’s put so much work in his game, he feels pretty comfortable in any position. He’s been in that. The more work you put in, the more confident you are. I think that’s a great testimony for Tyrese Maxey.”