LeBron James Ruled Out Against Warriors, Ankle Injury Persists

The Los Angeles Lakers have confirmed that LeBron James will sit out Thursday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors as he continues to manage a lingering left ankle injury. This announcement follows James’ decision to utilize the All-Star break for additional treatment on his peroneal tendinopathy.

Speaking after Sunday’s All-Star Game, James hinted at the possibility of missing the Warriors game as he prioritizes his recovery. While his status for upcoming games against the San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns remains uncertain, James has a history of sitting out one game in back-to-back sets to protect his ankle.

Despite concerns about his availability, sources close to the league have indicated that there’s no immediate worry about James missing extended time. The focus remains on ensuring his ankle receives the necessary treatment to strengthen for the remainder of the season.

James’ absence is notable, especially considering his remarkable performance against the Warriors last month, where he tallied 36 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists in a double-overtime thriller. With both the Lakers and Warriors knotted in the loss column post-All-Star break, the absence of the four-time NBA champion adds intrigue to their upcoming encounters, with three meetings left in the regular season.