LOS ANGELES – LeBron James left the Lakers against the Atlanta Hawks in the first half on Saturday after Solomon Hill collided with James’ right ankle.
James, 36, overturned a frustrated chair on the way to the locker room.
Hill was booked for fouling, remaining 10:50 in the second quarter, when the Hawks striker fell on James’ right ankle while trying to steal the ball.
James immediately cried out in pain and rolled off the field, squeezing his right leg. The Lakers called for time to check out the 18-year-old veteran, with several teammates, coaches and medical staff crossing the yard to surround James while he was on the floor.
James managed to stand alone and limped back on the bench, where he relaunched his sneakers and stayed in the game after the break.
In the Lakers’ first possession outside of the timeout, James hit a 3 from the corner, raising his statistical line to 10 points in the 3-for-6 draw, keeping his line intact for 1,036 consecutive games – including Saturday – scoring 10 points or more.
LA called for another timeout shortly thereafter, and James left the game for good, remaining 10:04 in the second quarter, with the Lakers trailing 34-30.
Shortly afterwards, the team announced that it would not return.
The Lakers play Sunday in the second leg of a back-to-back road against the Phoenix Suns.
Entering Saturday, James averaged 25.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists and played in all but one game for the Lakers this season, keeping his name at the top of the MVP conversation.