The effect of LeBron James’ injury: How Lakers, Western Conference standings and Play-In picture are impacted
At least for the next few weeks, the Lakers will have to adjust to life without LeBron James.
Amidst LA’s comeback win over Dallas on Sunday, February 26, James went down with an apparent foot injury. Apparently in pain, the 38-year-old somehow ended the game only for the injury to later be deemed severe enough to sideline him indefinitely.
The Lakers’ late-season aspirations to get into the play-in tournament and NBA playoffs picture are no secret, but even before James’ injury, the team had a razor-thin margin of error to make that happen.
It’s no secret that James’ absence will have repercussions for the Lakers, but when you widen the lens to snap a snap of the muddled Western Conference, there’s more at play.
MORE: What we know about LeBron James’ foot injury and time that may have been missed
The impact of LeBron James’ injury on…
The Lakers
For the past two seasons, this Lakers team’s success has been based largely on its two stars – James and Anthony Davis – playing at an elite level and the supporting cast performing their respective roles.
When a star goes down, things would usually go wrong.
With the addition of Malik Beasley, D’Angelo Russell and Jarred Vanderbilt at the close of trade, the LA roster is much better equipped to play for a star temporarily – everyone just needs to move up.
The Sporting News’ Kyle Irving recently outlined ways Davis – and the supporting cast – can rise, a group that also includes Rui Hachimura, Austin Reaves and Dennis Schroder.
With LA looking to wait on James’ injury, the aforementioned group’s ability to strengthen and keep the team in the running for a playoff spot will likely have an impact on whether James comes or not does not return to the ground unless released to do so.
MORE: LeBron James injury puts pressure on Anthony Davis to step up
The playoff picture
At the time of James’ injury, the Lakers held a 29-32 record. As unflattering as that mark is, it’s enough for LA to be in the hunt — just 3.5 games separate the fourth-place Suns and 12th-place Lakers.
While teams like the Suns and Clippers are likely to create a split in the standings, the Lakers could find themselves in an eight-team battle for seeded spots six through ten, which is the last seeded spot in the Play-In tournament.
A look at the rankings can paint the picture far better than any description ever could.
(Through the games played on February 27th)
| seed | team | Record | games back |
| 1. | nuggets | 43-19 | – |
| 2. | grizzlies | 36-23 | 5.5 |
| 3. | kings | 35-25 | 7 |
| 4. | to sunbathe | 33-29 | 10 |
| 5. | clippers | 33-30 | 10.5 |
| 6. | outsider | 32-30 | 11 |
| 7. | warrior | 31-30 | 11.5 |
| 8th. | jazz | 31-31 | 12 |
| 9. | wood wolves | 31-32 | 12.5 |
| 10 | pelicans | 30-32 | 13 |
| 11. | Trailblazer | 29-31 | 13 |
| 12. | lakers | 29-32 | 13.5 |
| 13. | thunder | 28-32 | 14 |
Lakers schedule 2022-23
James went down on LA’s schedule with 21 games remaining. Of those 21 games, 12 are against teams that could potentially catch the Lakers in standings, depending on how you view the Clippers and Suns.
And while the Lakers would certainly prefer James if they do, there’s something to be said for how much of their own destiny they control with the number of head-to-head matches they can win and win in standings Earn a tiebreaker.
If LA really wants to reach the postseason, it needs to treat every remaining game with a postseason-like intensity.
| Date | Opponent | time (ET) | TV channel |
| February 28th | at grizzlies | 19:30 o’clock | TNT |
| 1st March | at thunder | 8 p.m | — |
| 3 March | against timber wolves | 10:30 p.m | — |
| 5. March | against warriors | 3:30 p.m | ABC |
| 7th March | against grizzlies | 22 O `clock | TNT |
| March 10th | against raptors | 22 O `clock | NBA TV |
| March 12th | against curtsy | 21 clock | ESPN |
| the 14th of March | at pelicans | 8 p.m | — |
| March, 15 | at rockets | 8 p.m | — |
| 17. March | against mavericks | 10:30 p.m | NBA TV |
| 19th March | against magic | 9:30 p.m | — |
| March 22 | against suns | 22 O `clock | ESPN |
| March 24th | against thunder | 10:30 p.m | — |
| 26th of March | against cops | 3:30 p.m | — |
| March 29th | at Bulls | 8 p.m | — |
| March 31 | with the timber wolves | 8 p.m | NBA TV |
| 2nd of April | at rockets | 19 o’clock | — |
| 4. April | at jazz | 21 clock | — |
| April 5th | at Clippers | 22 O `clock | ESPN |
| 7th of April | against suns | 10:30 p.m | NBA TV |
| 9th April | against jazz | 3:30 p.m | — |