Does Lakers’ LeBron James Still Have a Chance at Winning MVP Following His Injury?

Published 03/22/2021, 2:00 PM EDT

Over the years, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been snubbed of multiple MVP awards, and the reasons change every time. On some occasions, this was because of voter fatigue, while at other times, it was because of a change in criteria.

This season, Bron started off well, and despite Anthony Davis missing out on a lot due to injury, LeBron kept the Lakers afloat with his dominant displays. But unfortunately, in their last game against the Hawks, LeBron injured his ankle. He is out indefinitely and this will hurt his MVP campaign now.

While LeBron was already sliding down the rankings, this will probably take him out of the top 10 soon. So does he still stand a chance, or does his MVP campaign end here?

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In Bron’s absence, the Lakers lost another game, falling 94-111 to the Suns. LeBron was in attendance on the sideline and was wearing a boot for his ankle injury while sitting on the sidelines. This is now the Lakers’ second loss in a row without him. They face the Pelicans and the 76ers next, and even both of those games could end in a similar fashion for the Lakers.

LeBron's behind the Lakers' bench with a boot on his injured right ankle. pic.twitter.com/91vJoOT0fc
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 22, 2021

As the Lakers record becomes worse, Bron’s campaign grows weaker. The usual requirement for an MVP campaign is to be the best player on the best team. But if the Lakers keep dwindling, they will not even be close to the #1 seed in the West. They are currently three games behind, and this will only become worse in LeBron’s absence.

What does LeBron James have to do to win the MVP?

Last season, Bron came close, but a superb campaign from Giannis Antetokounmpo stopped him from winning MVP. “It pissed me off,” LeBron said after finishing second in the 2019-20 season. Although Giannis deserved the award ahead of him, LeBron had a compelling argument as well.

“It pissed me off.”@KingJames on being voted second in MVP voting. pic.twitter.com/SsE7CExMFd
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 19, 2020

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LeBron would have hoped to bounce back from that snub and improve this year, but that is not going according to plan. Whenever he returns, he will immediately have to go 100% in the games and rescue the Lakers record. They are miserable without him on the floor, and AD’s absence just makes it worse.

If LeBron can come out of his injury and still guide the Lakers to the #1 seed in the West, that will be a solid argument for him. That will prove how dominant he still is and would help him to win his fifth MVP award.

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ALSO READ – The Numbers Behind LeBron James’ Deal To Part-Own Boston Red Sox Revealed

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Written by:

Aaron Mathew is a sports analyst at EssentiallySports. A graduate in Mass Media from Xavier’s College, Aaron has been a part of EssentiallySports since May 2020 where he covers both NBA and NCAA basketball news, and has also covered NBA 2K. In the past, Aaron has worked at the Sports Desk of Mumbai Mirror.

Does Lakers’ LeBron James Still Have a Chance at Winning MVP Following His Injury?

What does LeBron James have to do to win the MVP?

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