LeBron James eye injury update: USA basketball star receives stitches to seal cut in Olympics quarterfinals

Kyle Irving

LeBron James eye injury update: USA basketball star receives stitches to seal cut in Olympics quarterfinals image

LeBron James went to the locker room after being elbowed in the eye in the United States' Knockout Stage game against Brazil at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

James was the catalyst of Team USA's comfortable lead 23-point lead going into the fourth quarter. He tallied 12 points, nine assists, three rebounds and three steals in 17 minutes before incidental contact forced him out of the game.

James' nine assists gave him a chance at making Team USA Olympic history. He was only four shy of surpassing a record held by five different players, including himself.

The eye injury forced him to the locker room at the quarter break and he never returned to the game.

For the latest updates on James' eye injury, The Sporting News has you covered below.

MORE: Team USA throttles Brazil in 35-point win to advance to semifinals

LeBron James eye injury update

James was his typical dominant self in Team USA's quarterfinals game against Brazil but an accident forced him out early.

James was challenging a fast break attempt when he caught an elbow to his eye from Brazil forward Georginho De Paula at the end of the third quarter.

James dropped straight to the floor and had a bleeding cut on his upper eye. He went to the United States' bench at the break and eventually went to the locker room. He returned to the bench near the end of the game.

MORE: Inside Australia's collapse against Nikola Jokic, Serbia in quarterfinals

When the broadcast panned to James on the bench, his upper eye was swollen and it appeared his cut was sealed shut.

After the game, head coach Steve Kerr told the media that James received four stitches to the laceration during the fourth quarter.

It does not seem that the injury will keep James from playing in Team USA's semifinals game against Serbia on Thursday. Check back for updates as they become available.

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.