Los Angeles, United States—LeBron James is expected to return on Christmas Day to the lineup of the Los Angeles Lakers, who are coming off their most one-sided defeat of the NBA season.
James missed a 128-104 loss to the visiting Denver Nuggets on Sunday (Monday Philippine time) because of a strained chest muscle.
The defeat was the third straight loss for the first place Lakers, who are also expecting Anthony Davis to suit up on Wednesday (Thursday Philippine time) when they face the Los Angeles Clippers in one of five Christmas Day NBA contests.
Davis slipped early in the fourth quarter of the loss to Denver and his right knee bent awkwardly.
He left the game, returned for a few minutes, but then checked out for good as Denver’s lead continued to grow and the game got out of reach for the Lakers.
Both James and Davis missed team practice on Monday.
The Lakers lost to the Clippers 112-102 in the season opener on October 22.
According to multiple sources the Lakers will have their stars on the court for a Christmas Day showdown with the LA Clippers.
James and Davis are expected to play on Wednesday, league sources said. James missed a game for the first time all season Sunday with a thoracic muscle strain and discomfort in his groin. Davis tweaked his right knee during that game, a loss to Denver.
James and Davis encouraged an impromptu early-morning practice on Christmas Eve, in preparation for the Lakers’ first game against the fully formed Clippers with both Kawhi Leonard and Paul George available to play.
The Lakers also practiced Monday (Tuesday Philippine time), but both James and Davis were held out of on-court participation.
The two Lakers leaders brought the team in on Tuesday (Wednesday Philippine time) so they could join their teammates in the walk-through to prepare for the Clippers.
