Los Angeles Lakers DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot) is available for Thursday's meeting with the Trail Blazers. King James didn't suit up for the All-Star tournament. But he was back in action for Wednesday's loss to the Charlotte Hornets, finishing with 26 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, two blocks, and one steal. While James' presence could mean fewer scoring chances for Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves, both players could remain more involved with Luka Doncic (calf) getting the night off.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (right foot surgery management) will not play Thursday night as the Lakers finish a back-to-back set coming out of the All-Star break with a trip to Portland. Vanderbilt is still working his way back from surgery on both feet in the offseason and has been playing very limited minutes. He only played 13 minutes on Wednesday in the Lakers' loss to the Hornets. With Luka Doncic (calf) out and LeBron James (foot) questionable, there could be plenty of time available, but Vanderbilt won't be part of the solution. Instead, Dalton Knecht, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Alex Len will likely get more playing time in the frontcourt, especially if LeBron is ruled out as well.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot injury management) is questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Trail Blazers after playing through a questionable tag on Wednesday night in the Lakers' loss to the Hornets. James ended up logging 38 minutes and turning in a double-double with 26 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, and two blocked shots. If he plays Thursday, he has a high ceiling since Luka Doncic (calf injury management) was already ruled out, and he'll have a big workload in a favorable matchup. However, if the 40-year-old gets the second game of the back-to-back set off, the Lakers will rely heavily on Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, and Dalton Knecht as they look to bounce back with a win over the Trail Blazers.

According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (injury management) will not play Thursday when the team finishes their back-to-back against the Trail Blazers in Portland. Doncic had 14 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in 33 minutes on Wednesday in a loss to the Hornets. It was his first game without a minutes restriction since joining the Lakers and is still working his way back to full strength after missing almost two months. If LeBron James (injury management) plays through his own questionable tag, he will have a huge workload. If LeBron joins Luka on the sidelines, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, and Dalton Knecht are candidates to shoulder the workload in the backcourt in a favorable matchup in Portland.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) is officially available ahead of Wednesday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. The future Hall-of-Famer was questionable coming into this game after sitting out of the All-Star game due to foot and ankle issues. James has been a regular on the injury report this season, but he normally suits up on most nights. He'll once again be out there for Wednesday's game and figures to play his normal role. That being said, Rui Hachimura won't receive a fantasy boost and figures to play his normal role in the rotation as well. Fantasy managers can feel safe getting James back into their lineups on Wednesday.