The Los Angeles Lakers confirmed that LeBron James will sit out their upcoming match against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday due to left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, as revealed in the team’s announcement on Wednesday.
James, who missed Wednesday’s practice, also skipped the Lakers’ recent game against the Utah Jazz before the All-Star break due to the same ankle problem. Despite undergoing treatment to strengthen his ankle and expressing his determination to return to full fitness for the remaining stretch of the season, he played only 14 minutes during the All-Star Game and emphasized the significance of maintaining his physical health for the team’s crucial final games.
Although the Lakers have seen success in recent matches, winning six out of their last seven, they haven’t been able to significantly improve their standing in the competitive Western Conference due to similar streaks from other teams. With 26 games left in the regular season, the Lakers currently hold a 30-26 record, placing them ninth in the West with a slightly negative point differential, while the Golden State Warriors sit in tenth place with a 27-26 record.
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James, who is in his 21st season and already holds the title of NBA’s all-time scoring leader, is nearing yet another milestone, being just 132 points away from reaching the historic 40,000-point mark. Barring any further setbacks, he is expected to achieve this feat in the sixth game after the break, slated for March 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Additionally, the Lakers announced that backup center Christian Wood is sidelined with swelling in his left knee and will undergo re-evaluation in approximately two weeks. However, the team remains hopeful that this is a minor issue with a short recovery period, as reported by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.