Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James said he won’t play in Wednesday night’s contest against the visiting Houston Rockets due to his right ankle injury.
It will mark the sixth straight game and 26th in the past 28 that James will miss.
“Getting close but I won’t be in the lineup tonight but more importantly I will be there to put that CHAMPIONSHIP banner in the rafters at Staples Center in front of our fans!! #No17,” James Wednesday said on Twitter.
Getting close but I won’t be in the lineup tonight but more importantly I will be there to put that CHAMPIONSHIP banner in the rafters at Staples Center in front of our fans!! #No17 ????
— LeBron James (@KingJames) May 12, 2021
The Lakers are raising their championship banner from last season to the rafters prior to Wednesday’s game at Staples Center.
James’ next opportunity to play will be when the Lakers visit the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.
Los Angeles initially listed James as questionable for Wednesday’s game, though there was optimism he would play.
James considered returning for Tuesday’s 101-99 overtime win over the New York Knicks before deciding to take more time to allow the ankle to heal. He initially hurt it March 20 when he suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Atlanta Hawks.
James returned for two games but intense soreness after a game against the Toronto Raptors on May 2 pushed him right back out of the lineup.
Anthony Davis tweaked his groin during Tuesday’s game and is listed as questionable to play against the Rockets.
The Lakers (39-30) are in seventh place in Western Conference with three games remaining. They stand one game behind the Portland Trail Blazers and Dallas Mavericks in the battle to finish among the top six and avoid the play-in round.
Houston has lost six straight games and 43 of its past 48.
–Field Level Media