LeBron James will not allow a sprained ankle to prevent him from entering the court on Christmas Day.
The Los Angeles Lakers star, who sprained his ankle in the opening season loss to the Clippers on Tuesday, said on Thursday that he will be “ready to go” when they meet Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night -market.
“I’ll be ready to go tomorrow on Christmas Day,” said James on Thursday, via ESPN. “I never missed a Christmas game and I don’t intend to miss a tomorrow.”
Dude, I’m excited for tomorrow’s Christmas game! Like my children, it can be difficult for me to sleep tonight too! Lol.🤷🏾♂️
– LeBron James (@KingJames) December 25, 2020
LeBron James sprained his ankle at the season opener
James rotated his left ankle in the second half on Tuesday after trying to block the big Clippers man, Ivica Zubac, right in front of the rim.
James finished with 22 points, five rebounds and five assists in defeat, and played just over 28 minutes. The 36-year-old was also out for the last eight minutes of the game, but he didn’t seem to think it would affect him much in the long run.
“I’m going home for dinner now,” said James after the game, via ESPN. “I’m going to freeze and drink some wine that will drip straight to my ankle … I can be sure that I can drink from the left side of my body, then go straight to my left leg, right to the ankle. But I will be all the time. I’m going to wake up [Wednesday] morning before I leave the house, and I’m also going to get a little more treatment at the clinic and just continue to do that.
“Like I said, we have a few days, so I’ll be fine.”
And while it’s not the same without fans inside the Staples Center on Friday night, James knows how special and important a Christmas game really is.
“People opened their gifts. Everyone is excited. It’s a donation day for many of us,” said James on Thursday, via ESPN. “And being at the Staples Center, I had the opportunity to play here for Christmas as Laker and also as an opponent. It is a beautiful feeling to be here.
“But it’s not the same without Laker’s faithful, without fans, without rows of celebrities, without bright lights. It’s just a totally different feeling. It’s strictly basketball, which is good. But our game is also entertainment. And when you’re out there, you hope to entertain some people live as well. But we have to do that. Hopefully, we know that we’re making a mark while they watch the game. “
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