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Los Angeles (AFP)
After suffering from his ankle injury in Sunday’s game, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James said he would be ready for Wednesday’s crucial game against the Golden State Warriors of Stephen Curry, whom he called “the MVP of the season.” .
James had to be substituted six minutes from the end of the victory against the New Orleans Pelicans (110-98).
The 36-year-old forward lost his balance when he turned around to dribble off Nickeil Alexander-Walker and, after scoring a layup on the backboard, fell into a bad position and injured his right ankle.
James stretched out on the floor and then limped off to the bench, setting off alarms for the Lakers, who must face the Warriors in the play-in on Wednesday for a playoff spot.
“It was a sprain. I stepped on his foot after that last basket. But I’ll be fine,” James said.
“When I say that I will be fine, I mean that I will be in the game on Wednesday. The time has come and I will be ready (…) For me it is a playoff game,” said James, who finished with 25 points in 27 minutes .
Coach Frank Vogel lined up James in two straight games over the weekend in a failed attempt to get the Lakers to clinch sixth place in the Western conference, the last one that gave direct access to the playoffs, and avoid the play-in. .
In this way the Lakers will play Curry’s Warriors with a ticket at stake to the playoffs. The loser will still have a second chance to qualify if he is able to beat the winner of the other play-in crossover between the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs on Friday.
Before the media, LeBron praised Curry’s extraordinary season, assuring that he deserves to win the MVP (Most Valuable Player) award.
“We are going to play against, in my opinion, the MVP of the league this year, Steph,” said the forward. “I don’t think I’m going to have it, but that’s another conversation.”
“There has always been a level of respect that goes beyond basketball,” James said of his relationship with Curry, who was born like him in Akron, Ohio.
With a 46-point display against the Grizzlies on Sunday, Curry claimed his second NBA leading scorer title with 32 points averaged per game.
“Nobody was counting on him this year,” LeBron recalled. “Everybody was wondering if with Klay (Thompson) injured, could Steph lead a team on his own. Can he lead a team to the postseason? Can he keep a team afloat? He’s done that and more.”
© 2021 AFP
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