LeBron James must try to carry Lakers in playoffs while Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves are out

LeBron James probably thought he was done playing this particular role.

After so many seasons in which James valiantly carried otherwise ordinary teams to extraordinary achievements, the greatest scorer in NBA history was not even the Los Angeles Lakers’ focal point this year.

And then Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves both went down in the Lakers’ first game of April with significant injuries likely to sideline them for several weeks.

Just like that, James was alone in the spotlight once again this month, the Lakers’ fading postseason hopes resting on the 23-year NBA veteran who has already done it all.