Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will not play against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday due to left ankle soreness, as announced by the team. James, who has been dealing with the ankle issue for months, was downgraded from doubtful to out for the game. This decision comes after he played 38 minutes in the Lakers' recent victory over the Indiana Pacers, where he scored 26 points and dished out 10 assists.
This absence marks the second time James has missed a game against the Bucks this season, with Spencer Dinwiddie starting in his place during the previous matchup on March 8. The Lakers are set to begin a challenging six-game road trip, starting with the game against the Bucks.
Currently sitting at the 9th spot in the competitive Western Conference, the Lakers have 11 games remaining in the regular season. They are trailing the Phoenix Suns by 3 games for the 6th seed, a position that would allow them to bypass the play-in tournament. The Lakers are also holding a 2.5-game lead over the 10th seeded Golden State Warriors.
On a positive note, Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell, who missed the previous game due to a non-COVID illness, is expected to be available for the matchup against the Bucks. His return will provide additional depth to the Lakers' roster as they aim to secure crucial wins during this road trip.
