Is Lakers' LeBron James playing tonight vs. Jazz?

Nick Metallinos

Is Lakers' LeBron James playing tonight vs. Jazz?  image

Time is running out for the Los Angeles Lakers to salvage what's left of their season as they chase a spot in the Play-In Tournament.

The team is currently on a three-game skid and holds only a half-game lead over the San Antonio Spurs for the final Play-In spot. While LeBron James has been otherworldly this season, averaging 30.1 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game, he has been shouldering a heavy workload down the home stretch.

Unfortunately for James and the Lakers, he hurt his ankle in the first half of Sunday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans when he stepped on the foot of Jaxson Hayes. This caused James' ankle to twist, and he immediately got checked out by team staffers.

He ultimately stayed in the game, finishing with 39 points. 

Will LeBron be able to suit up against the Jazz and keep the Lakers in the playoff picture?

MORE: Watch NBA games live with Sling TV (U.S. only)

Is LeBron James playing tonight vs. Jazz?

According to Marc Stein, LeBron is out for Thursday's matchup against the Jazz with an ankle injury.

This doesn't come as much of a surprise, considering after Sunday's game, James said his ankle felt "horrible."

The Lakers are in danger of missing the Play-In Tournament. They are 6-15 on the year in games where James doesn't play. 

MORE: Is LeBron James the greatest scorer of all time?

What channel is Lakers vs. Jazz on?

  • TV channel (USA): TNT
  • TV channel (Los Angeles): Spectrum SportsNet
  • TV channel (Canada): SN One
  • Stream (USA): TNTdrama.com | Sling TV

In the United States, Lakers vs. Jazz will air nationally on TNT and can be streamed on TNTdrama.com, the Watch TNT app or Sling TV.

Viewers in the Lakers' region can watch a local broadcast on Spectrum SportsNet. In Canada, Lakers vs. Jazz will air nationally on SN One.

Lakers vs. Jazz start time

  • Date: Thursday, March 31
  • Time: 10:00 p.m. ET

Lakers vs. Jazz is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 31. The game will be played at Utah's Vivint Arena and will tip off shortly after the scheduled time.

Lakers schedule 2021-22

After playing in Utah on Thursday night, the Lakers will have six games remaining in the 2021-22 regular season. LA cannot qualify for a top-six playoff spot but can qualify for the NBA's Play-In Tournament, which will be held from April 12-15.

Date Opponent Time (ET) National TV (US) National TV (Canada)
March 31 at Jazz 10 p.m. TNT SN One
April 1 vs. Pelicans 10:30 p.m. NBA TV SN One
April 3 vs. Nuggets 3:30 p.m. ABC
April 5 at Suns 10:30 p.m. NBA TV SN 360
April 7 at Warriors 10 p.m. TNT SN 360
April 8 vs. Thunder 10:30 p.m. SN One
April 10 at Nuggets TBD NBA TV Canada

Nick Metallinos

Nick Metallinos Photo

Nick has been working exclusively within the NBA world for over a decade. He hosted 46 episodes of Ball or Nothin' - a show screened on ESPN highlighting the social media aspects of the NBA. Nick has covered 3 NBA Finals, 5 NBA All-Star weekends, 8 NBA drafts, 5 Jordan Brand Classics plus dozens of playoff games and hundreds of regular season games. 
Nick spends his spare time trying to decide which sneakers best match his outfit.