Even when the Los Angeles Lakers had managed to pressure a Recreation 6 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves, they’d have confronted an enormous setback.
Lakers star LeBron James suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee in the course of the fourth quarter of Wednesday night time’s Recreation 5, a league supply informed ESPN on Friday. The harm was confirmed after an MRI scan on Thursday.
The harm is predicted to maintain the 40-year-old out for 3 to 5 weeks.
The incident occurred with 8 minutes and 39 seconds left within the recreation when Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo collided with James’ left knee whereas setting a shifting display. DiVincenzo was known as for an offensive foul.
James went down in ache and briefly left the sport to be checked by his longtime coach, Mike Mancias. He returned to the courtroom with simply over seven minutes remaining and performed the remainder of the match, which the Lakers misplaced 103-96 — ending their playoff run.
James has now performed in a report 292 NBA playoff video games with out lacking one because of harm. Nonetheless, if Recreation 6 had taken place in Minneapolis on Friday night time, that streak possible would have ended.
