LeBron James has been removed from the Los Angeles Lakers’ injury report ahead of Game 2 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
James was listed as probable with a left hip flexor strain on the injury report prior to Game 1 on Saturday. He played 36 minutes in the 117-95 loss, scoring 19 points with five rebounds and three assists. Only Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic logged more minutes than the 40-year-old James.
Maxi Kleber, who came over as part of the Luka Doncic trade, is the only player on the injury report. Kleber is recovering from foot surgery and hasn’t suited up for the Lakers since arriving.
James seemingly being at full strength is good news for the Lakers, who were a little shellshocked by Minnesota’s physicality during the matchup.
“Maybe it took us one playoff game to now get a feel for it and know what type of intensity, the type of physicality is going to be brought to the game,” James said after the loss. “But that’s just the way they play. So we should be more than prepared for that on Tuesday night.”
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday in Los Angeles. Despite the loss in the opener, the Lakers are a 5.5-point favorite for the matchup, per ESPN BET.
