Is LeBron James playing against the Utah Jazz? Latest injury report on LA Lakers' star ahead of matchup (9th April 2023)

LeBron James and the LA Lakers have done what social media and media analysts deemed laughable not long ago.

James and the Lakers, from being a below .500 team in the league, have given themselves a fighting chance to make the playoffs. The team is now .519 as the regular season wraps up today.

LeBron James is listed as questionable with a foot injury against the Utah Jazz ahead of the crunch game. The same goes for Anthony Davis (foot) and Dennis Schroder (achilles), while D'Angelo Russell (foot) is listed as probable in the injury report.

Over the course of the season, LeBron James has been electric, averaging 28.8 points on 49.9% shooting, 8.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game.

Playoff scenarios for LeBron James and the LA Lakers

In a tightly-contested Western Conference, the LA Lakers (42-39) are seventh in the standings.

The Lakers can snatch the sixth seed from the Golden State Warriors in the following scenario:

Lakers victory over the Utah Jazz (37-44)
Minnesota Timberwolves (41-40) beat the New Orleans Pelicans (42-39)
Portland Trail Blazers defeat the Golden State Warriors (43-38).

If the LA Clippers (43-38) win against the Phoenix Suns (45-36), that will go in the Lakers' favor as well. However, if the above happens, this ball game won't matter to LA.

LeBron and the LA Lakers can secure a spot in the play-in tournament with a New Orleans Pelicans loss and a Golden State Warriors win. If they secure a play-in spot, the Lakers will have to win their matchup to progress.

One thing is for sure, it promises to be an exciting game against the Jazz.