LeBron James will miss his first game of the season when the Los Angeles Lakers play the Sacramento Kings on the road on Wednesday in their final challenge before the NBA All-Star break, the Lakers announced.
James did not accompany the team on its flight to Sacramento after a 114-104 home loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, according to a team spokesman.
Heading into the Suns game, James was listed as likely with a sprained left ankle, which he sustained earlier in the season. He will receive treatment while in Los Angeles, according to the team.
James, 36, played in the first 36 games for the defending champions this season, averaging 25.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.8 assists while leading Los Angeles to a 24-12 record, the third-best mark in the Western Conference.
He will still report to Atlanta this weekend for his 17th consecutive All-Star Game, according to The Athletic.
Los Angeles could be without multiple players for the second night of their back-to-back in Sacramento, as Anthony Davis (right leg) is also ruled out, while Marc Gasol (health and safety protocols), Kyle Kuzma (right heel) ) and Alex Caruso (neck spasms) were all on the injury report after the Suns game.
Keeping these Lakers won’t come cheap
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