Pacers Set to Face Lakers Without Star LeBron James

Ricardo Klein | Feb 8, 2025

Mar 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers will catch a break on Saturday as they will face the Los Angeles Lakers without the Lakers' best player, LeBron James.

James, who was listed as doubtful for the past few hours, has been downgraded to out.

Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times shared via X.

LeBron James is OUT tonight https://t.co/m7otyxYhQu

— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) February 8, 2025

James will miss his fourth game of the season.

With James ruled out, the Lakers will turn to Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith to help carry the load left by the superstar forward.

James came into his game as questionable and was downgraded quickly thereafter.

Although the Lakers will be without their best player, the others have stepped up in a big way.

However, James' loss cannot be understated. His last game was arguably the best of the season. Against the Warriors on Thursday, he recorded 42 points on 14-for-25 shooting from the field, 17 rebounds, eight assists, one block, and one steal in 38 minutes of action.

In the season for L.A., he is the team's leading scorer with the departure of Anthony Davis, averaging 24.5 points per game, 7.8 rebounds, 9.0 assists, and 0.9 steals while shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three in 34.7 minutes of action and 46 games.

Not only will the Pacers play the Lakers without James, but they will also be without their newest superstar, Luka Dončić.

Dončić was expected to make his debut on Saturday after being out for more than a month due to a left calf strain. However, after Thursday's matchup against the Warriors, it became likely that he would miss Saturday's game and will likely make his debut on Monday against the Utah Jazz.

The massive trade that took place last Saturday night shook the NBA world, and that remains the case to some degree.

No one saw this trade in the works, and it shocked not only the NBA world but the sports world.

As for this game, the Pacers are road favorites in this matchup with a -4.5 spread.

Although the Pacers will be without their top center, Myles Turner, they will be healthy for the most part.

The Pacers will look for their 30th win of the season and their 15th on the road.

The Pacers sit with a 7-3 record in their last 10 games.

More Pacers: Will Luka Doncic Make Lakers Debut vs Pacers? LA Releases Injury Report

Pacers' Lack of Trade Deadline Moves Directly Impacts Myles Turner

For more news and notes on the Indiana Pacers, visit Indiana Pacers on SI.