LeBron James’ Injury Text From NBA Gambling Investigation Revealed — Report

New federal court filings reveal that a private text message referring to LeBron James’ injury status was used by conspiracy defendants in a sweeping NBA gambling probe. The messages allegedly came from former player and unofficial Lakers assistant coach Damon Jones, who is accused of providing non‑public information about James’ availability to bettors ahead of a February 2023 matchup. 

What the filings say

• According to the indictment, Jones texted co‑conspirators before the Lakers vs. Bucks game on February 9, 2023: “Get a big bet on Milwaukee tonight before the information is out!” The “information” allegedly was that James, not publicly listed as injured, would not play.  
• James, who had earlier set the NBA’s all‑time scoring record, subsequently missed the game due to left ankle soreness — but was not on the official injury report before tip‑off.  
• The documents also reference a January 15, 2024 game involving Lakers star Anthony Davis (coded as “Player 4” in filings) in which non‑public injury information allegedly was used for wagers.  
• Crucially: LeBron James and Anthony Davis are not accused of wrongdoing, and their names do not appear as defendants in the indictment.  

Why this matters

• The allegation underscores the scale of the NBA betting scandal — not just classic insider betting, but misuse of medical/injury information tied to star players.
• Even though players like James are not alleged to have acted improperly, the exposure of their personal injury status being used for profit raises questions about data security, player privacy, and team protocols.
• With the NBA and law enforcement now probing deeper, this could prompt tighter controls on access to team medical updates and injury statuses.

What to watch next

• Whether further texts or evidence surface showing how often injury data was monetized in this scheme.
• The reaction from the NBA, teams, and players: policy changes or internal disciplinary measures may follow.
• How the courts handle defining and prosecuting use of “non‑public injury information” as insider betting — a less common angle than performance fixing or game‑rigging.
• The fate of the defendants, including Damon Jones and other co‑conspirators, as the investigation continues.