LeBron to sit vs. Kings, miss 1st game this season
For the first time during the 2020-21 season, LeBron James will not be in the Los Angeles Lakers' lineup when they take the court against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
The Lakers announced the 36-year-old stayed back in L.A. following Tuesday's loss to the Phoenix Suns to rehab an ankle sprain, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.
In his 18th season, James has remained one of the NBA's preeminent iron men. Appearing in all 36 Lakers games to date, the four-time champion ranks fourth in the league in total minutes played.
| Rank | Player | Team | Games | Total Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julius Randle | Knicks | 36 | 1316 |
| 2 | Nikola Jokic | Nuggets | 35 | 1256 |
| 3 | Fred VanVleet | Raptors | 34 | 1249 |
| 4 | LeBron James | Lakers | 36 | 1245 |
| 5 | Domantas Sabonis | Pacers | 33 | 1202 |
Despite skipping Wednesday's tilt in the Californian capital, James will travel to Atlanta this weekend for his 17th straight All-Star appearance, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.
James is presently averaging 25.8 points, eight rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, with 51% shooting from the floor overall and 36% on 3-pointers.