Final injury report for LeBron James and Lakers versus Bulls

[ASFN Admin]

The Los Angeles Lakers will host the Chicago Bulls on Thursday evening and look to extend their budding winning streak to four games. As has been the case, the Lakers cannot take their opponents lightly, and the Bulls, despite their 27-38 record, have the ability to pull off an upset.

That is especially true when one looks at L.A.'s final injury report for this game. Veteran guard Marcus Smart and backup big men Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber will not be available to play. Coach JJ Redick hopes Smart will return on Saturday versus the Denver Nuggets, but the outlook is a little gloomier for Hayes and Kleber.

Jaxson Hayes (back soreness), Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain) and Marcus Smart (right hip contusion) are out tonight vs. CHI, per the Lakers.

LeBron James (left foot arthritis, right hip contusion) remains questionable.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 12, 2026

JJ Redick says the team hopes to have Marcus Smart (hip) available against Denver on Saturday. He added that Jaxson Hayes received imaging on his back, and the team is awaiting results. And that Maxi Kleber will miss some more time as he deals with his recurring lumbar issue

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 13, 2026

But the good news for the Lakers is that LeBron James has been cleared to play after missing each of their last three games due to an elbow ailment, left foot arthritis and a hip contusion.

LeBron James is available to play tonight against the Bulls, per the Lakers, returning from a three-game absence.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 13, 2026

After Thursday, the Lakers will host the Denver Nuggets on Saturday before starting a six-game road trip. That trip starts with twin games versus the Houston Rockets on Monday and Wednesday and includes a matchup with the Detroit Pistons, who are in first place in the Eastern Conference.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Final injury report for LeBron James and Lakers versus Bulls

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