2 min read • March 10, 2022
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Head coach Frank Vogel said about an hour-and-a-half before the Lakers' bounce-back game against the Rockets Wednesday night that LeBron James would return to the lineup after missing Monday with left knee soreness.
Joining James – who missed his 6th game of the last 6 weeks with the soreness caused by a Baker's cyst – is Malik Monk, who was probably with left calf soreness. Monk is averaging 14.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.8 steals in March.
Talen Horton-Tucker however, who led the Lakers with 18 points in their loss to the Spurs Monday, will miss the contest with a left ankle sprain. The versatile 21-year-old wing missed Los Angeles' March 3rd loss to the Clippers with the sprain.
James scored a season-high 56 points on Saturday against the Warriors, and is averaging 30.6 points on 37.4 minutes per game in the last 10 games since returning from the initial absence due to knee soreness.
Stanley Johnson and D.J. Augustin are each in line for more minutes and open looks in Horton-Tucker's place against the 16-49 Rockets.
The Lakers are 9-20 on the road this season, but the Rockets are a near-NBA worst 11-19 against the spread at home.
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