LeBron James good to go in front of national TV audience
Lakers forward LeBron James looks on during the first half of an NBA game against the Hornets in Charlotte, N.C., on Jan. 28. Credit: AP/Jacob Kupferman
LOS ANGELES — LeBron James began the day listed as doubtful to play against the Knicks on Saturday night after missing the previous five games with swelling in his left knee. Shortly before the game, he was upgraded to questionable. But there was little doubt that if he could drag himself onto the court, he would be ready for the Knicks.
He had 29 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in the Lakers’ 122-115 overtime win.
"Itching to play isn’t a strong enough word," Lakers coach Frank Vogel said before the game. "He’s been working day and night just to get back in the lineup in general. Obviously, this is a big game against the Knicks on ABC and he wants to be in there."
After testing his knee on the court before the game, he was declared a go shortly before game time.
"We walked through with him playing; this is our plan, and if he doesn’t play, this is our plan," Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. "He was upgraded from doubtful to questionable, so there’s a chance he plays. So you have to be ready for both."
Thibodeau marveled at the 37-year-old James’ performance in his 19th season.
"You look at his numbers," he said. "To play at the level that he’s played at for as long as he has, that’s really the true mark of greatness. A player could have a great season, but to really be great, you do it over a long period of time, and he’s done that. It’s pretty remarkable. It’s a testament to his will and all the things that he’s done to take care of himself to play at the level that he’s at.
With James and Anthony Davis in and out of the lineup — and on this night, Carmelo Anthony was out — the Lakers have endured issues similar to the Knicks, struggling to get into a rhythm. They entered Saturday’s game at 25-28, in ninth place in the Western Conference and still trying to piece together the ill-fitting parts of the roster.
"I think if you look at the league and the way things have unfolded this season, there’s been a lot of in and out for people, a lot of up and down, and that’s the challenge of the season,’’ Thibodeau said. "And so, if you have primary players out, you’re going to feel that. And if it comes at a time where you have a difficult schedule, you feel it even more."
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
