LeBron James, the renowned forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, will not play against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night due to an ankle injury, as reported by NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Previously in the season, James had to sit out games for rest due to a sprained left ankle he incurred in January. The Lakers have recorded a 4-3 record in the games without him this season.
Now in his 21st NBA season, James continues to defy expectations, maintaining impressive averages of 24.8 points, 7.8 assists, and 7.2 rebounds. His shooting accuracy remains high, as he’s gone 52.0 percent from the floor and 39.5 percent from beyond the arc. Despite celebrating his 39th birthday on December 30, James’s performance remains superior to many peers.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors Updates
However, even with James’s exceptional contributions, the Lakers have faced challenges in achieving consistent success. After an encouraging start to the season, highlighted by winning the In-Season Tournament championship, the team’s performance has declined, leaving them in ninth place in the Western Conference with a 30-26 record.
In James’s absence, the team looks to Anthony Davis, another star forward, to lead the offense. Davis has remained mostly injury-free this season and stands out as one of the league’s top players on offense and defense.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors Updates
Other players ruled out for the Lakers include Jarred Vanderbilt (right midfoot sprain), Gabe Vincent (left knee surgery), and Christian Wood (left knee effusion). Los Angeles will likely need to rely more on Rui Hachimura and perhaps Taurean Prince while James is sidelined due to injury.
