Quick Read
- LeBron James was unexpectedly listed as questionable with left knee soreness before the Lakers vs. Clippers game on Friday, Feb 21, 2026.
- He was later upgraded to available, allowing him to play in the crucial post-All-Star break game.
- Lakers coach JJ Redick had expressed optimism about the team’s health just one day prior.
- James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves were all available, marking only the 11th time the ‘Big Three’ would play together this season.
- The Lakers are one game back of the third seed in the Western Conference and face a tough remaining schedule.
LOS ANGELES (Azat TV) – Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was cleared to play against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, February 21, 2026, after an unexpected left knee soreness scare just hours before the game. The sudden uncertainty surrounding James’s availability threatened to derail the Lakers’ crucial post-All-Star break push for team continuity and a stronger Western Conference playoff position, making his ultimate clearance a significant relief for the franchise.
James, who turned 41 this season, unexpectedly appeared on Friday’s injury report as questionable, prompting concern across the league. This development was particularly jarring given that Lakers head coach JJ Redick had expressed optimism on Thursday about the team’s health heading into the second half of the season. James had also participated fully in the Lakers’ first practice after the All-Star break and played 21 minutes in Sunday’s All-Star Game, logging 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and one steal without any public indication of an issue.
Lakers’ Big Three Finally Available
The decision to clear James for play means the Lakers will have their primary trio of LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves on the court together for what would be only the 11th time this season. The team has a promising 7-3 record when all three play, a statistic that underscores the potential Redick believes the team holds if fully healthy. Dončić, the league’s leading scorer, also returned to action after missing the final four games before the All-Star break with a hamstring strain, while Reaves was cleared from his minutes restriction, signaling a return to full strength for a key contributor.
Coach Redick explained pregame that James woke up feeling sore, which led to the initial downgrade to questionable status. This cautious approach highlights the team’s commitment to managing the veteran forward’s workload, especially as they enter a demanding stretch of games. The Lakers had struggled with availability issues throughout the season, with James missing 18 games, Reaves sidelined for 19 consecutive games with a calf injury, and Dončić’s recent absence. These injuries have forced Los Angeles to constantly adjust lineups, hindering their ability to build cohesive team chemistry.
Urgency in the Western Conference Playoff Race
The Lakers’ current standing in the Western Conference leaves little room for error. They sit just one game behind the third seed, with a realistic path to securing home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs and avoiding the play-in tournament. However, their schedule remains challenging, rated as the 10th-toughest remaining slate by Tankathon, including critical matchups against formidable opponents like the Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks.
Redick had emphasized to his team that the final 28 games would be ‘a sprint,’ with a rigorous schedule offering few breaks between games until the end of March. The unexpected injury scare for James, though ultimately resolved, underscored the fragility of their health and the constant battle for continuity. His availability against the Clippers was a critical first step in what the Lakers hope will be a sustained push towards the postseason, allowing them to finally deploy their preferred rotations and capitalize on their talent.
LeBron James’s swift return from a sudden knee issue provides the Los Angeles Lakers with timely momentum, allowing them to finally field their anticipated core lineup at a crucial juncture in their quest for a strong playoff seeding.