Even if the Los Angeles Lakers had been able to extend their first-round series with a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Wednesday's Game 5, they would have had their work cut out for them the rest of the series -- and the playoffs.
An MRI on Thursday revealed that Lakers star LeBron James suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee in the fourth quarter of Game 5, a league source told ESPN on Friday.
The injury entails a three-to-five-week recommended recovery timeline, the source told ESPN.
The injury occurred with 8:39 remaining in the fourth quarter when Wolves guard Donte DiVincenzo was called for an offensive foul after colliding with James' left knee in the lane, setting a moving screen while a pass was being thrown to Julius Randle on the perimeter.