LeBron James misses practice with ankle pain, status vs. Pacers TBA
LeBron James did not practice with the Miami Heat on Tuesday because of a sprained left ankle, leaving his availability for Wednesday night's matchup against the Eastern Conference-leading Indiana Pacers in some doubt.
James got hurt during Monday's win over Utah. He was able to finish that game, though woke up with soreness on Tuesday, which he expected.
"I've had my fair share of ankle twists so I already knew how it was going to be today," James said. "Very stiff, very sore, it'll be around the clock treatment with Mike (Mancias, his trainer) and we'll go from there."
James said if the Heat were playing on Tuesday, he would not be in the lineup, "for sure." It's not uncommon for him to heal from sprains quickly, however.
"I've had extreme to not so extreme," James said. "We've been through this and we know how to attack it."
James rolled the ankle inward while dribbling late in the third quarter against the Jazz. He re-laced his sneaker, which is his typical method of treating ankle turns in order to minimize the opportunity for fast swelling, but left the game shortly afterward and spent about seven minutes on the Heat bench.
Once he returned, James showed no ill effects, finishing off a 30-point, nine-rebound, nine-assist night.
"It's not the first time he's gone through it with that ankle," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Lot of treatment, lot of rest, see how he feels."
James is averaging 25.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists and has appeared in all 24 Heat games this season.
The Heat will enter Wednesday two games behind Indiana in the East standings, and lost in Indianapolis last week in the first of four meetings this regular-season against the rivals.
"It's a basketball game versus two good teams," Heat guard Dwyane Wade said. "A lot of that goes on in the NBA. It's not our championship."
-
2024 NBA Playoff Bracket: Updated schedule, scores, standings
NBA says 76ers' Tyrese Maxey was fouled twice before late turnover in Game 2 loss
Nikola Jokić's brother reportedly involved in altercation after Nuggets' win
-
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
Lakers fall in 2-0 hole vs. Nuggets in first-round series. What went wrong?
Jamal Murray beats Lakers at buzzer, Nuggets take 2-0 series lead
-
Sixers to file grievance about officiating during first two games vs. Knicks
2024 NBA Playoff Schedule: How to watch NBA Finals, TV, streaming, free
Donte DiVincenzo caps desperate rally with 3-pointer, Knicks beat 76ers 104-101 to take 2-0 lead
-
2024 NBA Playoff Bracket: Updated schedule, scores, standings
NBA says 76ers' Tyrese Maxey was fouled twice before late turnover in Game 2 loss
Nikola Jokić's brother reportedly involved in altercation after Nuggets' win
-
NBA Champions by Year: Complete list of NBA Finals winners
Lakers fall in 2-0 hole vs. Nuggets in first-round series. What went wrong?
Jamal Murray beats Lakers at buzzer, Nuggets take 2-0 series lead
-
Sixers to file grievance about officiating during first two games vs. Knicks
2024 NBA Playoff Schedule: How to watch NBA Finals, TV, streaming, free
Donte DiVincenzo caps desperate rally with 3-pointer, Knicks beat 76ers 104-101 to take 2-0 lead