The Los Angeles Lakers left Thursday night's loss to the Denver Nuggets with a lot of disappointment. LeBron James expressed anger after a tough play involving Nikola Jokic that led to a possible injury. The moment came late in Los Angeles' 120-113 loss in Denver. Under the arena lights, James absorbed contact from Jokic while completing a layup. There was no whistle. Moments later, the Lakers star walked away, rubbing his left elbow.
This sequence soon became the biggest talking point of the night.
With 4:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, James hit the floor with his elbow. The collision occurred when Jokic challenged the play at the rim. Officials allowed the game to continue. According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, the Lakers forward felt the effects immediately.
"It's pretty sore right now," James said after the game. “It felt like it was one of those weird situations, but much more intense.”
James returned after some time. Still, the uneasiness persisted. He fouled out again and missed the final 22.3 seconds. After the game, he iced the elbow while longtime trainer Mike Mancias placed a compression sleeve on his left arm for the team's flight back to Los Angeles.
Lakers star LeBron James angry with Jokic's no-call
When reporters asked for an explanation from officials, James did not hold back. The Lakers veteran seemed more irritated by the decision involving Nikola Jokic than the injury.
"It's what it is—," James said, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN. "'Marginal.' It's the same s—. ...They keep saying that it is 'marginal'. I'm so tired of that word. It doesn't make any sense."
Meanwhile, Lakers coach JJ Redick said James iced his elbow after the game because the discomfort prevented him from finishing. His status for the next match remains uncertain.
That night still holds history. James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most career field goals in NBA history. Yet the accomplishment faded into the background as the Nuggets rode 28-point performances from Jokic and Jamal Murray.
A question now looms over Los Angeles. Will the Lakers get their superstar back soon, or will LeBron James' injury saga intensify before the next tipoff?
