Overview
- The Lakers listed LeBron James out with a left elbow contusion and left foot arthritis, with Deandre Ayton (left knee soreness) and Maxi Kleber (lumbar strain) also ruled out for Friday’s game against Indiana.
- Los Angeles still beat the Pacers 128-117, led by Luka Dončić’s 44 points on 14-of-25 shooting, moving the Lakers to 38-25.
- Redick described James as “a little banged up” and said the team expects him to be available Sunday against the New York Knicks, while Ayton and Kleber are considered day-to-day.
- James banged his left elbow on a late fourth-quarter fall in Denver after contact near Nikola Jokić during Thursday’s 120-113 loss, a game in which he also set the NBA record for most career field goals made.
- With Ayton exiting early in Denver, Jaxson Hayes provided frontcourt cover with 19 points against the Nuggets and filled in again versus the Pacers.