Lakers star LeBron James is sidelined with injury. Discover the impact on tonight's Lakers vs. Spurs showdown and key player updates.
It's one of the sexiest matchups in today's NBA ... but Wednesday's meeting pitting the Los Angeles Lakers against the San Antonio Spurs was missing a key component.
LeBron James was been ruled out of the Lakers’ Wednesday night matchup as the 23-year veteran would sit due to left foot joint arthritis and right sciatica.
And the Spurs would win, 107-91.
He had originally been listed as "questionable'' for this road game ... with "load management'' certainly an issue in play for the 41-year-old superstar.
"Every back-to-back, for the rest of the season, is TBD," James said. "I am 41. I got the most minutes in NBA history. Bank (that answer) right now."
James played 33 minutes and scored 30 points during the Lakers' game Tuesday night, a 111-103 win over the Pelicans.
Lakers coach JJ Redick did note that James' left foot was bothering him after playing in that game.
What were the Lakers (23-11 and in fourth place in the West) be missing here? James has averaged 21.7 points, 6.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game in 18 games played this season.
Of course, L.A. can still fall back on the greatness of Luka Doncic, who also scored 38 points on Wednesday.
The Spurs (in second place in the West at 26-11) can of course counter with the budding superstar Victor Wembanyama. He returned to the lineup on Tuesday after sitting out the past two games because of a bone bruise in his left knee and scored a game-high 30 points off the bench - but the Spurs lost to Memphis, 106-105.
And here, he was good for 16 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks.
The Spurs are back in action on Saturday at Boston.