The All-Star Game lost one potential Laker when Anthony Davis was traded to Dallas. (Luka Dončić wasn't going to play thank to the games he missed to injury.) Relatively late in the afternoon on Sunday, LeBron James announced he wouldn't be playing, taking the time to rest his bothersome foot and ankle instead. "“I was hoping that it would feel a lot better this morning, but it’s not where I want it to be... And with 30 games left and with us trying to make a playoff push in the wild, wild, West, I feel like it’s very important for me to kind of take care of myself and understand what’s coming on," James said. “So, I won’t say it’s maintenance, but it is maintenance,” he said. “At the same time, I have to look out for myself when it comes to this to this injury I’ve been dealing with for years.”So on the one hand, sad for the NBA and for fans, who have been watching him play in every game since 2004. (That, sidenote, is a stunning bit of trivia.) On the other... this is a good thing for the Lakers. Yes, it means LeBron is nursing an injury, but we knew that. And likely, doing whatever it is they do in modern ASGs wasn't going to hurt him, but why risk it? James is prioritizing the final 30 games of the season. Ultimately, he needed the break to get his body right. Unrelated to All-Star, obviously, Luka noted last week that he needed a mental and physical break. All of this is a reminder that the Lakers seem to have a lot more to play for than they did in game 25. Not that they're favorites in the conference—that honor still obviously goes to the Thunder—but given how wide open the West is, the way the Lakers have played in the last month or so, pushing themselves well up into the top 6 gives them as good a shot as everyone else. Assuming, of course, the two stars are the best versions of themselves. Luka needs to round back into form after missing almost two months. LeBron needs to find ways to keep it, physically. But whether James or the other guys on the team, you get the sense that they're no longer having to play mental games to convince themselves that the spring could bring meaningful basketball. That's a big shift, and something to be excited about coming out of the break. HOSTS: Andy and Brian KamenetzkySEGMENT 1: LeBron sits out the All Star Game. SEGMENT 2: The NBA needs to get offline. SEGMENT 3: The Hornets seem to be giving up on the Mark Williams trade. Your favorite podcast now has a newsletter! In One-stop for ultimate team and league coverage delivered right to your in box. Sign up for free now, at lockedondaily.com.Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!Turbo TaxReady for stress-free taxes and the most money back, guaranteed? Head over to TurboTax.com today and get matched with your Expert. Only available with TurboTax Live Full Service. Real-time updates only in the iOS mobile app. See guarantee details at TurboTax.com/guarantees. HungryrootWith Hungryroot, it’s like having a personal shopper and a nutritionist all in one.For a limited time, get 40% off your first box and a free item in every box for life! Just go to Hungryroot.com/lockedonnba and use codeLOCKEDONNBA. PrizepicksNow’s the perfect time to join.Download the app todayand use codeLOCKEDONNBA to get $50 instantly when you play your first $5 lineup! That’s right—no need to win to get the bonus, it’s guaranteed. PrizePicks—Run Your Game! Door DashThey Swoosh, You Save: when any player scores 50 or more points in a game during the 24/25 NBA regular season, DashPass members save 50% on an order, up to $10 off with promo code NBA50. 50% Off 1 Order (Up to $10 Off)Offer valid from 9:00 AM PT through 11:59 PM PT after a 50 point performance in any game during the NBA season on orders placed at participating merchant locations. Valid only in the United States. Maximum value of discount is $10.00. Discount applies to subtotal only; does not apply to fees, taxes, and gratuity. Not valid for pickup. Limit one per person. Not valid for the purchase of alcohol. Fees, taxes, and gratuity still apply. Must have an active DashPass account. Use promo code NBA50 to redeem. See further terms and conditions at https://drd.sh/8ONpZP/.FanDuelRight now, new FanDuel customers can get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in Bonus Bets if your first FIVE DOLLAR bet wins!Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY ...
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