LOS ANGELES – LeBron James left the Lakers game against the Atlanta Hawks in the first half on Saturday after Solomon Hill collided with James’ right ankle.
Frustrated, James, 36, knocked over a chair on his way to the locker room.
Hill was called up for a 10:50 foul in the second quarter when the Hawks ‘forward fell to James’ right ankle while trying to steal the ball.
James immediately screamed in pain and rolled off the track, holding his right leg. The Lakers called timeout to check on the 18-year-old veteran, as several teammates, coaches and members of the medical staff took to the field to surround James while he was on the ground.
James was able to stand alone and hopped back to the couch where he put his sneakers back on and stayed in the game after the time-out.
On the Lakers’ first possession of the timeout, James hit a 3 from the corner, raising his stat-line to 10 points on 3-for-6 shooting, leaving his streak intact for 1,036 consecutive games – including Saturday – and scored 10 points or more.
LA called another timeout shortly after, and James checked out of the game for good with 10:04 remaining in the second quarter, with the Lakers trailing 34-30.
Shortly after, the team made the announcement that he would not be returning.
The Lakers will play back-to-back on the road next Sunday against the Phoenix Suns on the second leg.
On Saturday, James averaged 25.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists and played in all but one game this season for the Lakers, keeping his name above the MVP call.