LeBron James injury confirmed: What does it mean for his LA Lakers future?

It’s been a tough week for the LA Lakers, highlighted by the decisive Game 5 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

That defeat eliminated the Lakers from the playoffs and has also taken a toll on the team’s undisputed star, LeBron James. The 40-year-old veteran suffered a knee injury in the final stages of that game and the full extent has now been revealed.

ESPN reports that James has suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain, a knock that would have ruled him out for the remainder of the playoffs if the Lakers had progressed.

At James’ age even a fairly minor injury carries additional risk but it doesn’t look like the consequences of the MCL sprain will be too serious. The recovery timeline is usually between three and five weeks, giving him plenty of time to fully recover before the start of the 2025 preseason.

Had it not been for the Lakers’ loss on Wednesday, James would have lost a record that ranks among one of the most incredible in his extensive collection. Game 5 against the Timberwolves was his 292nd postseason game and he is yet to miss a single one due to injury.

Considering that this year is the 40-year-old’s 23rd season in the league, that level of consistency and durability is almost unbelievable. Now, he will take a few months to get himself back into top condition and mount one last push for a championship next year.

He retains a player option for the 2025/26 NBA season but he looks certain to trigger it, particularly with son Bronny James now a part of the Lakers organization. The front office has a lot of work to do in the offseason to ensure that the team is adequately prepared for what could well be the final year of LeBron James’ illustrious career.

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