LeBron feeling ill, is game-time decision vs. Pels
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Feeling under the weather, LeBron James missed the Los Angeles Lakers‘ shootaround and is a game-time decision for Friday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, coach Luke Walton said.
“We got a sick team right now,” Walton said. “… [James] didn’t come to shootaround, so he is getting rest right now. Knowing LeBron, he is doing everything humanly possible to get himself ready to be able to perform tonight.”
While Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Rajon Rondo (hand) are available to make their respective returns against the Pelicans (10:30 p.m., ESPN/ESPNApp), the Lakers will be shorthanded inside.
Walton said starting center JaVale McGee will sit out his third straight game with flu-like symptoms and that centers Tyson Chandler and Ivica Zubac also had IVs as they try to stay healthy.
Ingram has missed seven straight games with a sprained ankle. Rondo has missed the past 17 straight game since undergoing surgery to repair the third metacarpal in his right shooting hand.
“They’ll both be available,” Walton said. “It will be up to me whether I want to play them or not. It depends on who is playing from the sick list.
“I would expect some of these guys to fight through it and give us what they can,” Walton added when asked if he could potentially be without big men against New Orleans. “But we just won’t know until closer to game time how guys are really feeling and what they can do.”