LeBron James is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He has won four NBA championships, four NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, and two Olympic gold medals. However, like all athletes, he has had to deal with injuries throughout his career. In this article, we will take a closer look at how many games LeBron has missed due to injuries or other reasons.
Early Years in the NBA
LeBron James was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 and quickly became one of the league’s top players. During his first five seasons in the NBA, he missed only a handful of games due to injury. In fact, he played in all 82 games during the 2008-09 season.
However, during the 2009-10 season, LeBron suffered a strained right elbow that caused him to miss five games. This was the first significant injury of his career and raised concerns among Cavaliers fans and NBA analysts.
The Miami Heat Years
In 2010, LeBron James made the controversial decision to leave Cleveland and sign with the Miami Heat. During his four seasons with the Heat, LeBron missed a total of 46 regular-season games. Most of these absences were due to minor injuries or rest.
During the 2011-12 season, LeBron missed three games due to a sprained ankle. The following season, he missed six games due to a strained hamstring and a broken nose. In his final season with the Heat, LeBron missed eight games due to back and knee injuries.
Return to Cleveland
In 2014, LeBron James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers. During his second stint with the team, he has missed more games due to injury than at any other point in his career. In fact, during the 2014-15 season, he missed a total of 13 games due to various injuries.
During the 2015-16 season, LeBron missed five games due to knee and back injuries. He also missed two playoff games due to a concussion. The following season, he missed eight games due to a calf strain and a bout with strep throat.
The Los Angeles Lakers Years
In 2018, LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. During his first two seasons with the team, he has missed a total of 27 regular-season games. Most of these absences were due to a groin injury that he suffered during the 2018-19 season.
During the 2018-19 season, LeBron missed 17 games due to the groin injury. The Lakers struggled without him and missed the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season. The following season, LeBron missed 10 games due to a strained groin and an ankle injury.
Conclusion
In conclusion, LeBron James has missed a total of 144 regular-season games throughout his NBA career. Most of these absences were due to minor injuries or rest, but he has also missed significant time due to more serious injuries such as his elbow strain and groin injury. Despite these setbacks, LeBron has remained one of the league’s top players and continues to compete at a high level.