02/10/26 04:50:00
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02/10 16:48 CST LeBron James will sit for Lakers vs Spurs, taking him out of
consideration for 22nd All-NBA honors
LeBron James will sit for Lakers vs Spurs, taking him out of consideration for
22nd All-NBA honors
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- LeBron James will sit out of the Los Angeles Lakers' game
against the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night due to left foot arthritis, a
decision that will prevent him from qualifying for consideration for his 22nd
straight appearance on an All-NBA team.
James has been on one of the three All-NBA postseason teams in each of his last
21 seasons, but this game will be the 18th he has missed this season. Players
must play in at least 65 games to be considered for end-of-season awards under
the NBA's current rules.
The Lakers announced the decision about five hours before they hosted the Spurs
in the second night of a brutal back-to-back set against the Western
Conference's top two teams. Los Angeles lost to Oklahoma City on Monday.
Los Angeles is also holding out NBA scoring leader Luka Doncic (left hamstring
strain) for the third straight game, along with Austin Reaves (left calf injury
management) and Marcus Smart (right ankle).
James is playing in his unprecedented 23rd NBA season, but he missed training
camp and the Lakers' first 14 games due to sciatica. He has played in
back-to-back games at times since getting healthy, but the Lakers have also
monitored his health closely in hopes of keeping him relatively fresh for the
stretch run.
James is playing well when healthy this season, averaging 21.7 points, 6.9
assists and 5.7 rebounds over 34 games. The Lakers (32-20) are in the thick of
the West playoff race despite having James, Doncic and Reaves all in the same
lineup for just 10 games so far this season.
James was selected for the All-Star Game this weekend in Inglewood, California.
So was Doncic, who was the leading vote-getter.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
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