The Los Angeles Lakers may start their playoff series against the Houston Rockets without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves due to injuries. LeBron James will need to carry the team, despite concerns about his age and physical condition.
Can Lakers win without Luka, Reaves? If LeBron turns into Jokic, says his former teammate originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
If anyone was hoping to see one final, brilliant act to LeBron James' legendary career, it may be about to arrive in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
The Los Angeles Lakers aren't expected to have Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves at the start of their series against the Houston Rockets due to injury.
That leaves LeBron out there putting the team on his back.
Of course, James has spent much of his career putting teams on his back. But he's 41 now. That back can't be quite as sturdy.
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Does he have something left in him?
His former teammate, Iman Shumpert, wants him to turn into Nikola Jokic to lead the Lakers past the Rockets:
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Jokic just finished the regular season averaging a triple-double, and he led the entire NBA in rebound and assist averages.
James has shown down the stretch of this season that he can elevate his game without his fellow stars on the court with him.
The King is also dunking more than he has in eight seasons, so he clearly is feeling pretty spry and healthy.
There's a chance something special is brewing. These injury absences may force LeBron to elevate his game to an astounding level one more time.
Basketball fans would be quite lucky if that's what happens.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are both expected to miss the start of the playoff series due to unspecified injuries.
LeBron James is 41 years old, raising concerns about his ability to carry the team in the playoffs without key players.
The Los Angeles Lakers are set to face the Houston Rockets in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
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