There was much doubt about the arrival of 38-year-old James, but the Lakers superstar eventually played half an hour. He has been sidelined for the past month with a right foot injury. After the game, he revealed that doctors had recommended that he undergo surgery for a torn tendon in his foot, but the American decided against it as he wants to do everything he can to lead the Lakers to the playoffs.
James added 19 points and 8 rebounds. It was only the second match of his career that he started on the bench. “We’re taking it day by day,” the superstar said. “The most important thing for me is Monday morning. When I wake up tomorrow and get out of bed, we’ll see how it goes.” LeBron James missed 27 games this season due to various physical ailments. This is his highest number of missed games since his debut in the NBA in 2003. Despite the many injuries, James remains of great importance to his team this season. He averaged 29.5 points and dished out 6.9 assists. Last month, he was crowned the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Zach LaVine excels with the Bulls
With the Bulls, Zach LaVine (32 pts) and DeMar DeRozan (17 pts and 10 assists) excelled. In the standings, the Lakers drop to ninth place in the west, just ahead of Oklahoma City, which won 112-118 against Portland on Sunday to clinch the final playoff qualifying spot.
Chicago strengthens its tenth place in the East. The Bulls trail Toronto, which defeated Washington 114-104. The Wizards drop to twelfth place and see their chances of the playoffs dwindling.
Finally another play-off for Cavaliers , costly defeat for Warriors
The Cleveland Cavaliers secured their first place in the NBA playoffs on Sunday for the first time since 2018. The Cavs defeated Houston 108-91. Five years after the departure of LeBron James, the Cleveland club is back.
The Cavaliers made four straight NBA Finals between 2015 and 2018 with James on the squad. They lost three times to the Golden State Warriors, but in 2016 James gave ‘his’ club the title. The American superstar switched to the Lakers two years later. Since then, the Cavaliers have failed to make the playoffs.
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Golden State, meanwhile, suffered a costly 96-99 loss to Minnesota. The Warriors are still sixth in the west, the last straight place for the playoffs. Minnesota is dangerously close to seventh.
In Atlanta, Memphis recorded a 119-123 victory, thanks to 27 points from Ja Morant, who returned to the starting line-up. Despite 40 points from Luca Doncic, Dallas lost 110-104 to low flyer Charlotte. The Mavs are only 11th in the west and will miss Doncic on Monday in Indiana. The Slovenian made his sixteenth technical foul on Sunday and was suspended for one game.
Finally, Boston could count on an excellent Jaylen Brown (41 points and 13 rebounds) in the 137-93 win against San Antonio. Jayson Tatum was missing with a hip injury. Boston, second in the east, continues to put pressure on league-leader Milwaukee.
Sunday’s NBA scores:
Atlanta – Memphis 119 – 123
Boston – San Antonio 137 – 93
Cleveland – Houston 108 – 91
Orlando – Brooklyn 119 – 106
Toronto – Washington 114 – 104
Golden State – Minnesota 96-99
Portland – Oklahoma City 112 – 118
Charlotte – Dallas 110 – 104
LA Lakers – Chicago 108 – 118
Standings (win percentage, matches, wins, defeats):
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Milwaukee 71.6 74 53 21
2. Boston 69,3 75 52 23
3. Philadelphia 66.2 74 49 25
4. Cleveland 63,2 76 48 28
5. New York 56,0 75 42 33
6. Brooklyn 53,3 75 40 35
7. Miami 53,3 75 40 35
8. Atlanta 49,3 75 37 38
9.Toronto 49,3 75 37 38
10. Chicago 48,6 74 36 38
11. Washington 44,0 75 33 42
12. Indiana 44,0 75 33 42
13. Orlando 42,7 75 32 43
14. Charlotte 32,9 76 25 51
15. Detroit 21.6 74 16 58
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Denver 67,6 74 50 24
2. Memphis 63,5 74 47 27
3. Sacramento 60,8 74 45 29
4. Phoenix 52,7 74 39 35
5. LA Clippers 52.0 75 39 36
6. Golden State 51,3 76 39 37
7. Minnesota 50,7 75 38 37
8. New Orleans 50,0 74 37 37
9. LA Lakers 49,3 75 37 38
10. Oklahoma City 49.3 75 37 38
11. Dallas 48.0 75 36 39
12. Utah 47,3 74 35 39
13. Portland 43,2 74 32 42
14. San Antonio 25.3 75 19 56
15. Houston 24,0 75 18 57
Monday’s program:
Detroit – Milwaukee
Indiana-Dallas
New York – Houston
Utah – Phoenix
Denver – Philadelphia
Portland – New Orleans
Sacramento – Minnesota
LA Clippers – Chicago
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