The Los Angeles Lakers’ most recent injury report comes with both good and concerning news.
Marcus Smart will miss his third straight game with back spasms, while LeBron James was taken off of the injury report and is expected to return to the lineup after resting the first game of a back-to-back, Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported.
After sitting out of Sunday’s 133-121 win over the New Orleans Pelicans for left foot injury management, James is expected to return against the Phoenix Suns Monday. The 41-year-old has now missed 15 games this season, after missing all of the pre-season and the first month of the regular season with sciatica.
The Lakers are 4-0 since James returned to the lineup.
With Smart missing his third consecutive game, Gabe Vincent, Jake LaRavia and Dalton Knecht could have an extended role against the Suns.
Smart’s injury is considered to be day-to-day.
