Lakers' LeBron James Expected to Play vs. Bulls After Ankle Injury, Darvin Ham Says

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is expected to play Thursday night against the Chicago Bulls if he is able to complete his pre-game warmup, head coach Darvin Ham told reporters before the game.

James missed Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers due to left ankle pain.

The Lakers star also missed a game on Jan. 13 due to the same injury, and was sidelined for one game in December due to left ankle tendinitis.

James is averaging 24.8 points, 7.4 assists and 7.2 rebounds per game, and the Lakers are 2-3 without him so far this season.

The Lakers and Bulls tip off in Los Angeles at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Ham told reporters Tuesday the Lakers were being "proactive" by sitting James against the Clippers.

James was listed on the NBA injury report as suffering from "peroneal tendinopathy," which is inflammation in lower-leg tendons generally caused by overuse, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Unfortunately for James, the Lakers upcoming schedule won't give him many natural breaks to rest until the schedule gap surrounding the Feb. 18 All-Star Game.

Starting Thursday night, the Lakers are set to play seven games in the next 12 days, including a back-to-back set Monday and Tuesday.

James' latest injury marks the continuation of foot and ankle injuries that have impacted James' health throughout the past few seasons.

The Lakers star missed the conclusion of the 2021-22 season due to a left ankle sprain, and was sidelined for several weeks of the 2022-23 campaign after suffering an injury to a tendon in his right foot.

Still, his expected return is a boost for the 22-23 Lakers, who are hoping to even out an up-and-down season with a win tonight to return them to .500.

James, who is putting together the highest-scoring campaign of 21-season veteran in league history, is a threat against any team. He's been particularly productive against the Bulls, however. His 1,778 career points in 63 games against Chicago make them the third-most scored-against opponent of his career.