Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers star LeBron James questionable vs. 76ers with knee soreness

If the Los Angeles Lakers want to move up in the standings and separate themselves from the group of potential Play-In Tournament squads in the Western Conference, they'll likely need LeBron James to be healthy. The team has a marquee showdown on the road with one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference on Thursday night and Lakers Nation may have some legitimate concerns over the superstar's availability.

Fellow star Anthony Davis made his long-awaited return to the Los Angeles lineup in Tuesday's win over the Brooklyn Nets, but he has been limited to just 28 games this season while missing 20 contests. James has missed 12 games this season, but when healthy, has been his usual dominant self.

"King James" leads the star-studded Lakers this season in points (29.1), steals (1.6) and minutes per game (36.6), while pacing the squad in field goals (10.9) and three-pointers per tilt (2.8) as well. James also ranks second on the team in assists per game (6.3) and third in rebounds per contest (7.7).

The 17-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion's scoring average is his highest since his final season during his first run with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010, when he posted 29.7 points per game. 

Los Angeles and Philadelphia are scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Welcome to the WNBA: Caitlin Clark sets infamous record in debut
Jalen Brunson leads Knicks to blowout win in Game 5 vs. Pacers
Nikola Jokic torches DPOY to lead Nuggets past Wolves in Game 5
Oilers use late heroics to tie Canucks at two games each
Watch: Astros pitcher ejected after foreign substance check
Kirk Cousins not angry with Falcons because winning is 'hard enough'
Bronny James has surprising comments on potentially teaming up with LeBron
Bills add two-time Super Bowl champ to new-look WR room
Brewers lose team-leading home run hitter to injured list
Sandy Alderson denies involvement in Mets, Billy Eppler IL controversy
Twins reliever shut down for six weeks with patellar tendon tear
Chris Finch throws shade at Nuggets star over Rudy Gobert’s fine
Cardinals head coach warns not to bet against Kyler Murray
Details emerge on Jason Kelce’s role at ESPN
Rangers defenseman wins Mark Messier Leadership Award
Ex-NFL head coach takes over as Arena Football League commish
Yankees young stud takes major step in return from injury
See top groupings for Rounds 1 and 2 at 2024 PGA Championship
Former Bruins winger dead at 75
Super Bowl-winning safety plans to retire after 2024 season