LeBron James Takes Rest to Nurse Ankle, Lakers Face Timberwolves Without Star Player

Los Angeles Lakers’ star LeBron James opted to sit out the Thursday night game against the Minnesota Timberwolves to provide much-needed rest for his left ankle, especially considering the second night of back-to-back games.

Dealing with tendinitis in the ankle, James had an impressive performance the previous night with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists in a 124-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Unfortunately, he fell just one assist short of achieving a second consecutive triple-double.

Addressing James’ absence, Lakers coach Darvin Ham attributed it to the wear and tear accumulated over the course of James’ remarkable 21-year career, often marked by extensive travel.

This marked the third time in the current season that James decided to sit out, emphasizing the Lakers’ cautious approach to managing his workload. As James approaches his 39th birthday on December 30, the Lakers are mindful of maintaining his health and ensuring peak performance.

While Anthony Davis was listed as questionable due to an ankle concern, Jalen Hood-Schifino (back) and Gabe Vincent (knee) were ruled out in advance of the game. Hood-Schifino had missed his sixth consecutive game, while Vincent, returning after a 23-game absence, played 14 minutes against the Bulls the previous night, with the Lakers exercising caution in his comeback.