LeBron James On Ankle Injury: ‘I Have To Be Strategic And Smart’

James missed Tuesday’s road game vs. the Milwaukee Bucks and explained to Chris Haynes of TNT/Bleacher Report that he’s taking a cautious approach.

“I have to be very strategic and smart of how I manage the rest of the season with my ankle/foot in order to get to the finish line,” James said to Haynes in a text message. “Whatever line that lies ahead.”

Haynes went on to report that James is expected to be available for the Lakers’ road game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

The Lakers entered Tuesday in ninth place in the Western Conference with a record of 39-32. They were 2.5 games ahead of the Golden State Warriors for ninth and 2.5 games back of the Dallas Mavericks for eighth.

Seeds 1-6 automatically qualify for the 2024 postseason, while seeds 7-10 compete in the play-in tournament. 

“It’s been flip-flopping so much over the last few weeks, I kind of stopped looking at it,” James said of the West standings, via The Athletic. “Just kind of just like focusing on each game at a time. So, obviously, we know where we are right now. Just continue trying to play some good basketball. That’s a very testy road trip for us. … But we’re looking forward to it.”

James is averaging 25.4 points, 7.2 rebounds and 8.1 assists while shooting 53.0% from the field, 40.6% on 3-pointers and 75.1% from the free-throw line. 

The Lakers’ next six games are on the road. After the Bucks and Grizzlies, they visit the Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors and Washington Wizards. 

“It’s very rare,” James said. “I can’t remember in my career where I’ve had such a late East Coast road trip, or vice versa when I was in the East going to the West so late in the season, so that’s challenging.”

Ashish Mathur contributed to this report.