Is LeBron James Playing Tonight? (Latest Injury Updates and News for Lakers vs Thunder on Feb. 7)

Is LeBron James Playing Tonight? (Latest Injury Updates and News for Lakers vs Thunder on Feb. 7)

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The Los Angeles Lakers are back in action on Tuesday night as they face the Oklahoma City Thunder at 10 p.m. ET on TNT. One player's status to keep an eye on ahead of tip-off is LeBron James, who has been dealing with an ankle injury.

LeBron Injury Update (2/7/2023)

All eyes are on James tonight as he attempts to break the NBA's all-time scoring record, but he has to be on the court to have a chance. The 38-year-old is listed as questionable with lingering left ankle soreness. It's the same issue that has been bothering him for over a week at this point.

It's worth noting James told reporters after Saturday's loss to the New Orleans Pelicans that, "I'm tired as hell but I'll be ready to go on Tuesday." It looks like his status will be a game-time decision as he tests himself during warmups. He only needs 36 points to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for first place on the all-time scoring list.

James has stepped his game up to another level this season, averaging 30.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.1 assists across 43 games played. With Anthony Davis back and healthy, the Lakers have a chance to sneak into the postseason as a play-in team and make some noise as a squad with nothing to lose.

LeBron James Fantasy Outlook and Prop Bets Today

LeBron James is listed with over/unders of 32.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists on Tuesday, according to FanDuel Sportsbook's NBA odds. I find myself backing James as the game's top scorer at +110 odds, though. Oklahoma City owns the seventh-worst defensive efficiency mark in the NBA over the last three games and gave up 33 points to James when they last faced the four-time MVP.

James is among the top options on the FanDuel DFS slate tonight, too, checking in with the fifth-most expensive price tag overall ($10,300). That shouldn't come as a major shock considering he is averaging an impressive 52.2 FanDuel fantasy points per game and is set to face a Thunder defense that gives up the 10th-most FanDuel fantasy points to opposing small forwards. It's a juicy matchup worth paying top dollar for if he plays.

Larry Rupp is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Larry Rupp also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username phillyfan424. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel. 

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.