NUGGETS

LeBron James played in postseason with injury that may require surgery

May 25, 2023, 1:31 PM | Updated: May 26, 2023, 6:26 am

LeBron James, Nuggets...

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Even in year 20 and apparently, on a bum foot, LeBron James was great in these NBA Playoffs.

No, the 19-time All-Star did not dominate, and in fact, his team was swept before the NBA Finals for the first time in his career but he still put 24.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 8.3 assists a game through the Los Angeles Lakers run.

That run of course ended earlier this week as the Denver Nuggets clinched their first trip to the NBA Finals. But now we know what many suspected, James was very hurt. In the series, you could see the forward tugging at his feet, re-tying his shoes and just struggling to move at times. James rejoined the Lakers ahead of the postseason after missing a month earlier this spring with foot issues.

“He played the last few months of the season with a torn tendon in his foot that could need surgery this summer,” NBA Insider Shams Charania said on the Pat MacAfee Show. “I’m told he’s reevaluating the injury, and the surgery sideline him for two months.”

James broke the NBA’s all-time scoring record this season and made his 12th trip to the Conference Finals, leading the once-broken Lakers to a nice turnaround mid-season. But James hinted this season could be his last on his way out the door after losing to the Nuggets. Charania says James is likely to play his 21st season in the fall.

The Lakers have some work to do with their roster this offseason but we may see the third in a trilogy of Lakers-Nuggets matchups in the playoffs that goes back to Los Angeles’ win over Denver en route to the 2020 title. But the Nuggets got the upper hand this time around and it’s Joker who beats King in this card game.

***

Nuggets

Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets...

Jake Shapiro

NBA passes new rest rule, will have minimal impact on Nuggets for silly reason

The NBA has spent the offseason brainstorming ways to curtail the league's problem with teams resting players—better known as load management

8 days ago

Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets...

Jake Shapiro

Michael Porter Jr. throws one of the worst first pitches of all-time

Michael Porter Jr. is on his own world tour, just like his Denver Nuggets teammates, who have visited just about every continent this summer

10 days ago

Ball Arena...

Jake Shapiro

Ball Arena survey shows off fancier seats, more expensive prices

The Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets aren't going anywhere anytime soon but their home, Ball Arena, may soon get a touch-up

21 days ago

Frances Tiafoe, Bradley Beal and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope...

Jake Shapiro

American tennis star wears key Nuggets player’s jersey at US Open

The Denver Nuggets have joined the cultural lexicon this summer in a way they never had before—and that's part of winning an NBA title

21 days ago

Jack Harlow...

Jake Shapiro

Jack Harlow features Jamal Murray in new music video for ‘Denver’

Jamal Murray's glow-up this summer continues as the Denver Nuggets guard is in rapper Jack Harlow's new music video for his song "Denver"

22 days ago

Ball Arena...

Will Petersen

KSE says it will send out survey to evaluate “future of Ball Arena”

While no change for where the Avs and Nuggets call home feels imminent, KSE sent out a release on Ball Arena that is worth taking a look at

24 days ago

LeBron James played in postseason with injury that may require surgery