LeBron James The Lakers announced that they will miss their first game of the season when they play the Los Angeles Lakers on the road against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday in the Final Challenge before the NBA All-Star Break.
A team spokesman said James had not accompanied the team on their trip to Sacramento after a 114-104 home loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.
As the Suns match approached, James was likely listed with a left ankle injury, which he had suffered earlier in the season. The team said he will receive treatment while in Los Angeles.
James, 36, played in his first 36 games for the champions this season, averaging 25.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.8 assists while leading Los Angeles to a record 24-12, the third best mark in the Western Conference.
He will still report to Atlanta this weekend on the 17th consecutive All-Star match, according to The Athletic.
Los Angeles could be without multiplayer on the second night of the noon game in Sacramento, like Anthony Davis (Right leg) is also excluded, while Marc Gasol (Health and Safety Protocols), Kyle Kuzma (Right heel) and Alex Caruso (Neck cramps) were all in the injury report after the Suns match.
Keeping these Lakers won’t come cheap