Lakers star Lebron James was ruled out of the Lakers-Clippers showdown because of left ankle pain, the team announced Monday.
The Lakers (22-22) are No. 9 in the Western Conference standings but 2-0 against their city rivals, the LA Clippers (27-14), the No. 4 team in the West.
James is listed on the NBA injury report with left ankle peroneal tendinopathy.
The 39-year-old is one of the most dominant names in the NBA and is in his 21st season.
He averages 24.8 points, 7.4 assists and 7.2 rebounds. He is shooting 52% from the field and 39.1% from 3.
James missed his team’s Jan. 13 matchup with the Utah Jazz due to the same injury. He’s also sat out games due to a bruised left calf, a left calf contusion, and tendinitis in his left ankle. James has still played 40 of his team’s 45 games, however.
At 22-22, the Lakers need James healthy and available as much as possible. They sit ninth in the Western Conference, and missing the playoffs is a realistic possibility.
The game will feature a handful of future Hall of Famers such as Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden.
Kawhi Leonard and company are without center Ivica Zubac who is scheduled to be reevaluated in the coming weeks.
