LeBron James will lose his first game of the season when the Los Angeles Lakers play a street game against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday in their last game before the NBA All-Star break, the Lakers said.
James did not accompany the team on his flight to Sacramento after a 114-104 home loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, according to a team spokesman.
Towards 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 Los Angeles, according to the team.
James, 36, played in all 36 games for the 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 still be in Atlanta this weekend to participate in his 17th consecutive All-Star game, according to The Athletic.
LA may be short of manpower on the second consecutive night in Sacramento, as Anthony Davis (right leg) is also ruled out, while Marc Gasol (health and safety protocols), Kyle Kuzma (hematoma on the right heel) and Alex Caruso (neck spasms) were all on the injury report after the Suns game.