LeBron James will miss his first game of the season when the Los Angeles Lakers play a road game against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday in their last outing before the NBA All-Star break, the Lakers said.
James did not accompany the team on its flight to Sacramento after losing 114-104 at home to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, according to a team spokesman.
Entering the Suns game, James was listed as likely with a sprained left ankle, which he suffered earlier in the season. He will receive treatment while in LA, according to the team.
James, 36, has played in all 36 games for the defending champions this season, averaging 25.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.8 assists while leading LA to a 24-12 record – the third best in the Western Conference.
He will continue to report to Atlanta this weekend to participate in his 17th consecutive All-Star game, according to The Athletic.
LA could be very short for the second night back-to-back in Sacramento, as Anthony Davis (right foot) is also ruled out, while Marc Gasol (health and safety protocols), Kyle Kuzma (bruised right heel ) and Alex Caruso (spasms in the neck) were all in the report of injuries after the game Suns.