Even when the Los Angeles Lakers had managed to pressure a Recreation 6 of their first-round playoff collection in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves, they might have confronted a giant setback.
Lakers star LeBron James suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee throughout the fourth quarter of Wednesday evening’s Recreation 5, a league supply advised ESPN on Friday. The damage was confirmed after an MRI scan on Thursday.
The damage 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 transferring display screen. 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 court docket 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 as a consequence of damage. Nevertheless, if Recreation 6 had taken place in Minneapolis on Friday evening, that streak possible would have ended.
