LeBron James ruled out for Lakers' match at Minnesota

Los Angeles Lakers' star player, LeBron James, has been ruled out for the upcoming game against the Minnesota Timberwolves owing to tendinitis troubling his left ankle, his club announced. 

This will mark his third absence this season, disrupting the team's momentum.

The 38-year-old athlete's absence comes after an intense 37-minute performance in the Lakers' recent 124-108 defeat against the Chicago Bulls, where he narrowly missed achieving a second consecutive triple-double, securing 25 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists.

Reflecting on the team's recent struggles, James attributed their downturn to various factors, including emotional and physical fatigue, alongside the pressure of navigating a challenging season. The Lakers, who claimed the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, have seen a decline in their performance, registering a 1-4 record since their tournament victory.

James remains a pivotal force for the Lakers, leading in scoring with an average of 25.2 points per game and excelling in assists and steals, reinforcing his significance to the team's strategy. However, their defensive statistics have plummeted since the tournament, conceding the highest number of 3-pointers per game among NBA teams and ranking poorly in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 42.8%.

Having played 26 games this season, James continues to maintain impressive averages of 25.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. With an illustrious career spanning 1,447 games, the NBA legend has consistently demonstrated his game skills, averaging 27.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists.

As James nears his 39th birthday on December 30, his absence poses challenges for the Lakers, emphasising the team's reliance on his exceptional skills and leadership both on and off the court.