Anthony Davis also provided an update on his health after missing the previous game with right adductor and hip injuries

LEBRON James has said his been feeling the impact of his first-quarter collision with Kevin Durant in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 122-119 win over the Phoenix Suns.

James and Durant bumped legs as the four-time NBA champion attempted a layup off his drive into the paint eight minutes into the clash.

2

LeBron James said he felt soreness in his left leg after colliding with Kevin Durant during Friday’s win over the Phoenix SunsCredit: Getty

2

James and Durant bumped legs on the Lakers star’s drive into the paint in the first quarterCredit: ESPN
LeBron, 38, limped off the court and grabbed his left shin with a painful grimace on his face after the knock.

As the referees called a foul on Durant on the play, the Lakers star stayed on the court to shoot a couple of free throws.

After he split the freebies, Christian Wood checked in to replace James.

But the 19-time All-Star returned in the second quarter and finished the game, recording 32 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists.

The following day, the Lakers listed James as questionable for Sunday’s matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers

The four-time MVP said he still felt discomfort in his leg after the Friday win.

“I was driving and awkwardly [hit] KD’s knee and, at the force I was going, it went right into my shin which pretty much locked up right then and there and shot down to my foot,” he said

“So, I just tried to keep my composure, make sure I was ok and try to keep it stretched out as much as possible, try to keep it as loose as possible so I can play the game and be effective.

“I’m pretty sore right now, obviously, because the adrenaline is calming down. I’ve iced it and all that stuff so now it’s pretty sore.”

James spent 36 minutes on the court on Friday with head coach Darvin Ham unable to limit his star’s workload as intended entering 2023-24 due to the team’s injury woes.

LeBron clocked 35.0 minutes per night in his first nine appearances of the new season, logging 25.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 blocks.

Meanwhile, Anthony Davis returned to the court against the Suns after missing the 34-point loss to the Houston Rockets a couple of days earlier.

Davis was initially listed as questionable to appear due to left adductor and hip injuries before the Lakers announced he would suit up for the team’s In-Season Tournament debut.

“It took some time to kind of get into the game just with the shots and stuff, just trying not to aggravate it,” Davis after the Friday clash.

“But as the game got going, I just stopped thinking about it and just started playing.

“I felt it a couple times over the course of the game but for the most part, it’s good.”

The Lakers, who moved up to 4-5 on the season thanks to the victory over Phoenix, have lost offseason acquisition Gabe Vincent to a knee issue.

Rookie Jalen Hood-Schifino and Jarred Vanderbilt are yet to make their 2023-24 debuts after picking up patella and heel injuries, respectively, in the preseason.

Rui Hachimura, Taurean Prince, and Jaxson Hayes have already missed games too during the current campaign.