LeBron James To Miss Game In Utah Due To Injury Re-evaluation
Jan 9, 2019, 2:57 PM | Updated: 3:23 pm
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at the Barclays Center on December 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton confirmed that LeBron James will not be traveling to Utah to face the Jazz on Friday night.
James has been out of the Lakers lineup since suffering a groin injury on Christmas Day. He will have a medical re-evaluation Friday in Los Angeles while his teammates do battle against the Jazz at Vivint SmartHome Arena.
Since James’ injury, the Lakers have gone 2-5. They currently sit in eighth place in the Western Conference with a 22-19 record.
This might have been inferred earlier, but Luke Walton just conformed that LeBron James is not traveling to Utah. He’s scheduled to have his medical re-evaluation Friday in LA.
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) January 9, 2019
In 15 career appearances in Salt Lake City, James has an average of 30.4 points per game. That said, the Jazz have gotten the best of him most of the time as he holds just a 5-10 record against Utah at Vivint SmartHome Arena.
Standing room only tickets were being marked up for $48 on StubHub, but are expected to decline in price due to James’ absence.
Fans React
Many fans were disappointed at the news that they will miss out on this opportunity to see the world’s most famous athlete in action.
@KingJames LEBRON!!!!!😫
I’m flying up to Utah to see you play!!!!! And I just found out you ain’t traveling with the team!!!!! Bucket List was to see you play!!!!!
Come on King!!!!!!
Don’t do me like this brotha!!!!!!@KingJames
— Zo Ramirez (@big_oso_zo) January 9, 2019
@KingJames I know you aren’t going to see this, and I know you aren’t playing this Friday at Utah, but will you please travel with the team? I’ve waited 16 years to just see you and I finally got tickets to the game when they went on sale. #myidol
— Matt (@matt_simpson7) January 9, 2019
Really upset I won’t get to watch @KingJames play in Utah for my first nba game, he’s the whole reason I wanted to go 😕
— Dozer (@JessieMendoza18) January 9, 2019
@KingJames please play against UTAH.
— Ali ⛹🏼 (@oh_ali14) January 8, 2019
@KingJames Christmas treated me right and I have tickets to watch you play in Utah on Friday. PLEASE GET BETTER SO I CAN SEE YOU PLAY. I’m 21, but a man might cry if I get to see you play!
— Matthew Freestone (@mattstone971) January 6, 2019
Kuzma Slated To Return To Utah
The Lakers also feature former University of Utah forward Kyle Kuzma, who has become a star in the NBA. He holds an average of 18.2 points per game with 5.8 rebounds.
Broadcast Info
The game between the Jazz and LeBron-less Lakers is scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m. and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
