LeBron James helped Team USA advance to the semifinals of the men’s basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but it came at a cost: the Los Angeles Lakers superstar required four stitches after getting hit near his left eye in the quarterfinal victory over Brazil on Tuesday.
James finished the 122-87 victory with 12 points, nine assists, and three rebounds. Following the game, James stated that he was fine and had been hit with an unintended elbow.
James sustained the injury during the third quarter and did not finish the game. During the fourth quarter, he returned to the sidelines after leaving the floor to receive stitches.
James is unlikely to miss Team USA’s semifinal matchup against Serbia, a team the Americans have already defeated once in this competition. The U.S. team posted a 110-84 victory against Serbia and NBA MVP Nikola Jokic in the first game of the group stage, as well as notched a big victory in an exhibition matchup leading up to the Olympics. Lakers teammate Anthony Davis contributed 13 points and eight rebounds coming off the bench in the win against Brazil.
James has likely been the greatest player for Team USA, which has not lost in its four Olympic games to date. About to approach his 22nd NBA season, the 39-year-old has demonstrated that he is one of the best and most competitive players in the league, if not the globe.
Host country France and Germany are expected to clash in the other semifinal game on Thursday, with the gold-medal and bronze-medal games scheduled for Saturday. James is competing in his fourth Olympics, with a bronze medal and two gold medals to show for his previous visits. During the Games’ opening ceremony, he was bestowed with the honor of carrying the American flag. Expect the icon to keep suiting up and giving it his best despite this latest damage to his left eye, as this is probably going to be his final Olympics appearance.