San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
LE BRON HURT
Lakers star Lebron James suffers high right ankle sprain and has to leave game early against Atlanta, which rallies to win the matinee game in L.A.
Lebron James left in the second quarter with a high right ankle sprain that the Lakers said will sideline him indefinitely, and Los Angeles went on to fall 99-94 to the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
Two hours after the game, the Lakers announced that James is out indefinitely. The defending NBA champions already are without ALL-NBA big man Anthony Davis, who has missed 14 consecutive games with a right calf injury and likely won’t play again until April.
“Nothing angers and saddens me more than not being available to and for my teammates!” James tweeted later Saturday. “I’m hurt inside and out right now. The road back from recovery begins now. Back soon like I never left.”
James was hurt when he rolled his ankle under Solomon Hill, who was called for a foul as he reached awkwardly for a steal. The 36-year-old superstar screamed and fell to the court clutching at his ankle, yet he got up and briefly stayed in the game.
“I haven’t necessarily seen him scream and squall like that, probably ever, not even with that groin,” said Kyle Kuzma, who was with the Lakers when James missed 17 games with a groin injury two seasons ago. “It had to hurt a little bit, for sure.”
After the injury, James hit a corner 3-pointer that extended his Nba-record streak of games with at least 10 points to 1,036, but he called a timeout and left the court shortly afterward. James knocked over a chair in frustration as he went to the locker room.
“The mood of the team is we’re disappointed we lost, and we’ve got to come back and get one tomorrow,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “I won’t disclose what Lebron was like (in the locker room). It’s in-house.”
John Collins had 27 points and a season-high 16 rebounds, and Trae Young added 14 points and 11 assists for the Hawks. They opened an eight-game trip with their eighth straight victory under new coach Nate Mcmillan — but only after their defending champion opponents lost their 17-time All-star to an injury that could shake the NBA’S balance of power if it turns out to be serious.
With James out, the remaining Lakers rallied and actually took a one-point lead to halftime, but missed their first 11 shots of the second half. Danilo Gallinari scored 14 of his 18 points after halftime for the Hawks, who are on their longest winning streak since January 2015.
“That was the first thing I told the guys: We can’t relax because Lebron is out of the game,” Mcmillan said. “We have to keep up the pressure, and I thought our guys did that.”
Clippers 125, Hornets 98: Paul George had 21 points to lead seven Clippers in double figures in a blowout win over visiting Charlotte. Kawhi Leonard scored 17 points, while George added 10 assists and didn’t commit a turnover.
76ers 129, Kings 105: Tobias Harris scored 23 of his 29 points in the first half and fell just short of a triple-double to lead short-handed Philadelphia over visiting Sacramento.
The Eastern Conference-leading 76ers (29-13) played without starters Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Seth Curry.
Grizzlies 111, Warriors 103: Jonas Valanciunas and Dillon Brooks scored 19 points each, Valanciunas added 15 rebounds and host Memphis beat Golden State. Jordan Poole led the Warriors with 26 points, connecting on 10 of 21 shots.
Bucks 120, Spurs 113: Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds to lead host Milwaukee past San Antonio. Lonnie Walker IV led the Spurs with 31 points.
Hawks 99, Lakers 94