The Los Angeles Lakers continue to be affected by the health of their biggest star, LeBron James. He missed games at the start of the season due to a sciatica-related issue that limited his performance and forced the franchise to monitor his workload.
Now, the Lakers again find themselves at a crossroads as they prepare for their matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks this Friday, January 9, 2026. The 41-year-old veteran has been listed as questionable, creating uncertainty about his availability for a game with implications in the Western Conference.
Steph Curry needed help untangling himself while Gary Payton II admired his flexibility
During the back-to-back games against the San Antonio Spurs, James sat out the Wednesday, January 7, contest because of the same lingering injury that has kept him from being one hundred percent physically. The situation has reinforced the cautious approach the team has adopted regarding his minutes.
The latest update on LeBron James’ injury
The Lakers released their most recent update on James’ condition, confirming that he is dealing with left foot joint arthritis and right sciatica. This combination of ailments has placed the organization in a delicate position as it evaluates how best to manage its cornerstone player for the remainder of the season.
James has not been ruled out of the matchup against the Bucks, but the coaching and medical staff intend to take things slowly. A final decision on his status is expected to be made only minutes before tipoff.
James is not the only concern for Los Angeles. Rui Hachimura is also listed as questionable as he continues to recover from a right calf strain, adding uncertainty to the rotation.
Those already ruled out are Austin Reaves and rookie Adou Thiero. Their absence highlights the struggle the Lakers face in finding stability after a spectacular start that once placed them second in the conference.
The Lakers want to protect LeBron James
Given everything James is dealing with, the Lakers must carefully consider how to manage him from now until the end of the season. Health issues for the ‘King’ have become more frequent, prompting discussion about whether it makes sense to keep him beyond this campaign.
I’m 41 years old, every back-to-back is TBD.”…”Every back-to-back for the rest of the season is TBD. I am 41, I got the most minutes in NBA history-bank it right now, OK? What are we talking about?
James recently told reporters.
Despite the challenges, there is still a strong possibility that LeBron will be available for tonight’s game against Milwaukee. This season, he has played 18 games while averaging 21.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.
The Lakers need players. The team sits fifth in the Western Conference with a 23-12 record. Avoiding a drop will require stars soon.
