LeBron James will be absent from the Los Angeles Lakers’ matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday due to his ailing left ankle.
At 39 years old, James will sit out his ninth game of the season as the Lakers face the Bucks at home. The team has posted a 4-4 record in games without the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham explained, “He’s just experiencing some severe soreness, and we decided not to have him play tonight.”
James has been grappling with ankle issues throughout the season, causing him to miss games surrounding the All-Star break. His latest setback occurred during the Lakers’ 130-120 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, when he exited the court with discomfort in the final minutes.
Despite downplaying the injury afterward, labeling it as something he has been managing, James remains on the Lakers’ injury list. Coach Ham emphasized that while the injury isn’t a major concern, it’s something they are monitoring closely, given James’ 21-year career.
James’ absence was confirmed well before tipoff against the Bucks, indicating a more significant flare-up of the injury. Throughout the season, the Lakers have typically waited until shortly before game time to announce James’ availability.
Despite the challenges, James has continued to shine in his 21st NBA season, boasting averages of 25.3 points, 8.0 assists, and 7.1 rebounds per game. He recently reached the milestone of 40,000 career points during a loss to the Denver Nuggets.
