Lakers, Nets limp into Christmas showdown

MANILA, Philippines — LeBron James’ latest foray into the NBA’s Christmas Day showcase will not be the star-studded affair the league anticipated when the schedule came out in the middle of August.

James will appear in his 16th Christmas Day game Saturday when his struggling Los Angeles Lakers host the Brooklyn Nets, who will welcome back James Harden but will be without Kevin Durant and remain significantly shorthanded due to the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

“It’s a game that both teams want to win, no matter what circumstances,” James said. “Is it going to be one of the premier games that I’m accustomed to playing on Christmas Day? No. So many guys out. You know this whole protocol thing has gotten a lot worse for a lot of the teams in the league right now.”

James will tie Kobe Bryant for the most Christmas Day appearances. James (383) also needs 13 points to pass the late Lakers’ legend for the most points in the showcase.

But this version of the Lakers is struggling to find its footing, especially since Anthony Davis suffered a sprained MCL on Dec. 17. Davis is out until mid-January, and since then Avery Bradley, Kent Bazemore, Malik Monk, Austin Reaves and Trevor Ariza – along with coach Frank Vogel – have entered the health and safety protocols.

Los Angeles is on a season-worst four-game skid although James has scored at least 30 points in three straight games. He scored 36 points Thursday, but it occurred in an ugly 138-110 home loss to the San Antonio Spurs when the Lakers allowed their second-most points of the season and a season-worst 18 3-pointers.

“We have no chemistry with any lineup from the simple fact that we haven’t logged any minutes,” James said. “All of our defensive guys are in health and safety protocols. We don’t need a full roster. We just need some of our guys back.”