LeBron James has officially been sidelined due to a left foot injury, ending his remarkable All-NBA streak. The Los Angeles Lakers announced that James will miss the upcoming game against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. This marks the 18th game he has missed this season, making it impossible for him to qualify for the league’s prestigious awards.
Lakers’ Injury Challenges
In addition to James, the Lakers will also be without several key players due to various injuries:
- Luka Doncic: Left hamstring strain
- Austin Reaves: Left calf management
- Marcus Smart: Right ankle soreness
Doncic has missed three consecutive games due to a “mild” strain, as described by Lakers president Rob Pelinka. However, he has shown progress and was able to run on Monday. Doncic plans to participate in contact drills on Tuesday with hopes of returning to play against the Dallas Mavericks later this week.
Doncic’s Notable Achievements
The 26-year-old Doncic recently became the leading vote-getter in the NBA All-Star ballot, receiving over 3 million votes. He aspires to compete in the NBA All-Star Game this Sunday at the Intuit Dome.
Current Team Standings
The Lakers currently hold a record of 32-20 and find themselves needing to rally against the Spurs, who are performing well with a record of 36-16. So far this season, the Lakers have faced San Antonio three times, holding a record of 1-2 against them.
Game Day Availability
In a slight boost for the team, rookie forward Adou Thiero has recovered from a sprained MCL and is available to play against the Spurs. Meanwhile, center Deandre Ayton was listed as a game-time decision due to right knee soreness but has also been ruled out for the game.
