After experiencing soreness in the left knee after a 56-point effort against Golden State Warriors, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers forward, will not be playing Monday against San Antonio Spurs.
The Lakers won Saturday night thanks to James’ third-highest points total. They had lost four straight games and seven of eight before James scored a season-high 19-for-31.
James missed 17 games due to injuries including ankle and abdomen ailments.
James, in his 19th season, is averaging 29.4 point, 8.1 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game for the Lakers. Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook were joining James in this star-studded roster. They are currently ninth in the Western Conference, and will likely need to win two more play-in games to reach the playoffs.
Gregg Popovich, the Spurs coach, enters the contest just one win shy of matching Don Nelson’s record for most regular-season wins.
San Antonio, which has already lost four straight games, won’t have starting guard Devin Vassell, and will not have reserves Lonnie Walker IV or Keita Beates-Diop. Three of the three have been diagnosed with non-COVID-19 illnesses.
