Why Isn't LeBron James Playing Tonight? What We Know About His Ankle Injury

LeBron James has been downgraded to out and will not play in Thursday's road game against the Golden State Warriors as he continues to manage a left ankle injury, the Los Angeles Lakers announced via their injury report.

James has been dealing with nagging peroneal tendinopathy, the Lakers said, which can lead to ankle swelling and soreness. The 39-year-old said at Sunday's NBA All-Star Game that he would use the break to receive additional treatment on the ankle, per ESPN, though did not specify the exact nature of his plan. The 20-time All-Star played just 14 minutes in this year's game, after which he hinted that his ankle ailment could keep him out against Golden State.

"It possibly could," James told reporters at All-Star Weekend. "It depends on the recovery process. So, possibly. But we will see. I'm feeling OK. I definitely wasn't going to put too much pressure on the game tonight... I want to try to be as healthy as I can be physically. This last part of the season is very important for us. I got to make sure of that."

Newsweek's call to the Lakers for further comment was not immediately returned.

When Will James Return for Lakers?

No official status for James has been determined beyond Thursday night. The Lakers host the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, then travel to Phoenix for a Sunday afternoon meeting with the Suns on ABC. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, there is no significant concern that the four-time MVP will miss extended time, and the hope is that treatment will allow James to finish the season in better playing condition.

The Lakers (30-26) come out of the All-Star break ninth in the Western Conference standings, 1.5 games above the Warriors and 3.5 games behind the New Orleans Pelicans in the No. 6 slot—the first team out of play-in territory.

L.A. has won three games in a row and seven of its last 10.

How Many Games Has James Missed?

This marks the eighth game that James will have missed over the course of the 2023-24 regular season. The four-time NBA champion has missed one half of a back-to-back set on three occasions this season to manage his ankle.

Through the pre-All-Star chunk of the season, James was playing 34.9 minutes per night.

There is still a cushion for James to miss time before he crosses to the wrong side of the new 65-game requirement to be eligible for awards and honors. James isn't at the front of any of this year's awards races though could still be considered for an All-NBA team—not that he is in need of any more personal accolades. Resting his ankle to gear up for the postseason seems to be the priority, especially since James admitted his NBA days are numbered.

"I have not mapped out how many seasons I have left," James said at All-Star weekend, emphasizing that he needs to make this one count. "I know it's not that many.

LeBron James Stats This Season

King James has accumulated a variety of titles to his name over two decades dominating the hardwood, and this season added "oldest active NBA player" to the mix. But the 21-year pro hasn't lost his battle to Father Time quite yet.

James is averaging 24.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 7.8 assists a game this season while shooting 52 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from 3-point range.

James Was Unaware of Warriors Trade Talk

Missing Thursday's game means James won't get a chance to take the floor against the team that reportedly tried to acquire him ahead of the NBA trade deadline.

The Warriors, according to ESPN, pursued a deal for James that would have paired him with Stephen Curry—a hypothetical situation that never materialized but nonetheless shocked the basketball landscape. A Golden State spokesperson previously declined comment to Newsweek, citing team policy of not addressing trade rumors. But last weekend, James got a chance to share his involvement—or apparent lack thereof— in the story.

"It didn't go far at all," James said on TNT. "I actually heard about it when everybody else heard about it...Sometimes there's conversations happening behind closed doors that you don't even know about. Until I guess if it's real or not, then they'll bring it to you. But it never even got to me. I heard it when the reports dropped as well."

James dropped a 36-point, 20-rebound, 12-assist triple-double in the Lakers' last meeting with the Warriors, a thrilling 145-144 double-overtime L.A. win on January 27.