Will 21-time All-Star Los Angeles Lakers power forward LeBron James suit up for the first of two clashes in two weeks against another of the Western Conference’s best teams, the Houston Rockets, on Monday night?
More Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James Strikes Mega-Deal with Amazon to Distribute Podcast
According to a pregame injury report from the NBA, the 6-foot-9 superstar vet was considered probable to suit up. The four-time league MVP has been dealing with a strained left groin of late.
Now, James has officially been given the green light to don the purple and gold in a critical Crypto.com Arena clash against Houston, per Underdog NBA.
LeBron James (groin) listed available to play Monday.
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) April 1, 2025
This matchup — and L.A.’s subsequent April 11 showdown with the Rockets — could have major implications for the playoffs.
At 45-29 on the year, the Lakers are currently the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. Los Angeles could conceivably catch the 49-26 Rockets, the West’s No. 2 seed.
Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, the results of these two Lakers home games against the Rockets — currently separated by just 3.5 games in the bunched-up Western Conference playoff race — could determine which team lands where when the postseason tips off.
After a heartbreaking loss and an ongoing lull, JJ Redick called a meeting with LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves Saturday morning in Memphis.
He challenged them. And they accepted it, flashing their offensive ceiling in a big win over MEM: https://t.co/VPrJmvcxRd
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 30, 2025
“The Lakers host the Rockets twice, with a chance to win the tiebreaker and push for the No. 2 or 3 seed if they can beat the Rockets both times (if the Rockets win one or both games, Houston wins the tiebreaker),” Buha writes.
The Lakers’ injury report was otherwise clean, outside of center Maxi Kleber. The 6-foot-10 big man, acquired as part of the Luka Doncic trade with the Dallas Mavericks, continues to recuperate from a Jan. right foot surgery.
More Los Angeles Lakers: Entire Stephen A. Smith, LeBron James Beef Timeline Explained
All three Houston Rockets two-way signings — N’Faly Dante, Jack McVeigh, and David Roddy — are with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Houston’s G League affiliate. Standard roster player Nate Williams is on assignment with the Vipers, too.
Through 63 healthy games this year for Los Angeles, James is averaging 24.5 points on .511/.373/.768 shooting splits, 8.5 assists and 8.1 rebounds.
The action tips off at 7 p.m. PT on TNT.
More Los Angeles Lakers:
Mavericks’ Anthony Davis Breaks Silence on LeBron James Friendship Since Lakers Trade
Lakers’ LeBron James Blames Himself for Meltdown Against Bulls
NBA Insider Reveals Key Details on Lakers’ LeBron James’ Pending Free Agency
Mavericks Increasing Ticket Prices Shortly After Luka Doncic Blockbuster Trade
For more on the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA at large, head on over to Newsweek Sports.