Los Angeles Lakers suffer nightmare injury scare as LeBron James 'hears pop'

26 February 2023 , 23:17

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LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers to a tight win over the Dallas Mavericks despite his injury scare (Image: AP)

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a worrying LeBron James injury scare after the iconic forward heard his ankle pop during the win over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday night.

Late in the third quarter, the Lakers were down four points as the Mavericks - powered by Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving - led 75-71 when James drove to the rim. As the 38-year-old drove and bounced inside, he collapsed and hit lay on the court.

It appeared somewhat innocuous, but James went down holding his right ankle. His actions likely sent shockwaves around the Lakers fanbase as the King declared: “I heard it pop.”

James lay on the court as the medical staff attended to him before he eventually stood up, albeit gingerly. Mavericks fans booed the four-time MVP as he got to his feet, and he eventually led the Lakers to a 111-108 victory.

Los Angeles made a few moves prior to the NBA Trade Deadline as they looked to surround James with the appropriate weapons to take advantage of his form in his twilight years. D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt and Beasley joined the Lakers via a mega trade that sent former MVP Russell Westbrook and his monster contract out of town.

LeBron James edges closer to NBA scoring record with jaw-dropping Lakers display

LeBron James went down and insisted he 'heard a pop' only to continue and lead the Lakers to an important win

The 29-32 Lakers also traded for Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards late last month. The moves were likely orchestrated to try and push the Lakers up the Western Conference standings and into the playoffs as they sit two and a half games behind the Mavericks - who added Irving to Doncic in a blockbuster move - in the final secure play-off position.

James made history recently as he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading points scorer, dropping 38 against the Oklahoma City Thunder to move past the legend’s total of 38,387. The Milwaukee Bucks and Lakers icon had been atop the career points list since April 5 1984 - eight months before James was even born - when he passed the mark previously held by Wilt Chamberlain.

The 38-year-old is considered one of the greatest players in league history as he won four Championships while reaching the NBA Finals an incredible 10 times during an iconic career with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and the Lakers. James has made a record 19 appearances in the NBA All-Star Game, while he is a four-time MVP amid a number of individual accolades.

Andrew Gamble