To defeat the Kings again, the Lakers will have to do it without LeBron James, who will miss the matchup with an illness.
After an impressive win versus the Golden State Warriors, stacking another victory will be difficult for the Lakers.
Due to an illness, LeBron James has been officially ruled out for the team’s matchup versus the Sacramento Kings.
Per the Lakers: LeBron James (illness) has been downgraded to out for tonight’s game vs. Sacramento.
— Edwin Garcia (@ECreates88) December 29, 2024
LeBron was listed as questionable for this game and was not a participant in practice on Friday. So, while his missing this contest is a disappointment, it is not a shock.
This will be the third game this season LeBron has missed. He was out for back-to-back games earlier in December due to left foot soreness. The team split those games, beating the Blazers at home but losing to the Wolves on the road.
Over the past five games, LeBron has certainly improved his performance. He is averaging 25.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 8.4 assists during that span and the Lakers lost just once.
While LeBron’s absence is negative, it’s just an illness and pregame coach JJ Redick expressed no need to worry about his health in the long term.
Another bright side for the Lakers is that Rui Hachimura will be available. He was on the injury report listed as questionable. Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell are also likely to suit up. They were also listed as questionable but are considered game-time decisions.
Regardless of how you spin it, defeating a Kings team the Lakers will have now faced three times in 10 days will be hard to do without LeBron.
His production is irreplaceable, so the rest of the supporting cast must step up big to help the Lakers continue their winning ways. With James out, Redick said he’ll start Gabe Vincent.
Vincent has been a good 3-and-D player for the Lakers over the past five games, shooting 50% from deep, his best stretch of games in a Lakers uniform.
While both the Lakers and the Kings are familiar with one another, this matchup will be very different.
Sacramento fired their coach, Mike Brown, ahead of the showdown with the Lakers and Doug Christie will now take over as the interim coach.
The Lakers currently have the Kings’ number, winning all three games versus Sacramento this year.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.
