LA Lakers Injury Report: Latest on LeBron James, Rui Hachimura & others

LA Lakers return to action on January 9 looking to bounce back from a disappointing home loss, but their preparation for the Milwaukee Bucks has been shaped heavily by injury concerns.

With multiple rotation players dealing with lingering issues, Friday’s official injury report provides crucial clarity on who will be available as Lakers try to stabilize their position in the Western Conference standings.

Los Angeles enters the matchup at 23–12, while Milwaukee arrives at 16–21, with both teams coming off losses earlier in the week.

LeBron James trending toward return

LeBron James appears poised to rejoin the lineup after missing Wednesday’s 107–91 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs.

The veteran forward sat out due to left foot joint arthritis and the same sciatica issue that has followed him throughout the season.

According to the NBA injury report, James is listed as probable for the Bucks game. His return would be a major boost for a Lakers team that leaned heavily on Luka Doncic’s 38-point performance against San Antonio, with limited scoring support elsewhere.

Given Los Angeles’ recent inconsistency, LeBron James’ availability could play a decisive role in setting the tone early against a physical Milwaukee squad.

Rui Hachimura remains sidelined

Rui Hachimura will miss his sixth consecutive game as he continues to recover from a calf strain suffered on December 28 against the Sacramento Kings. The forward has yet to resume game action, and there is no confirmed timeline for his return.

Hachimura’s absence has forced LA Lakers to rely on depth pieces, particularly in the frontcourt, as they navigate a demanding stretch of the schedule.

Additional absences impact rotation

The Lakers will also be without Austin Reaves, who remains sidelined with a calf injury, and Adou Thiero, who is out due to a knee issue. With both players unavailable, LA Lakers continues to adjust its rotations on the fly.

One beneficiary of the injuries has been Jake LaRavia, who is expected to draw his sixth straight start while filling in for Hachimura.

In five previous starts, LaRavia has averaged 15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.0 steals, providing energy and versatility on both ends of the floor.

Milwaukee’s injury report is comparatively brief, with Taurean Prince listed as out due to a neck injury. The Bucks currently sit just outside the Eastern Conference Play-In picture as the No. 11 seed.