LeBron James won’t play for Lakers vs. Pelicans because of injury
Lakers star LeBron James will miss Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a right foot injury, the team announced.
The Lakers (14-4) are playing the first of two games in as many nights at home. They will host the Phoenix Suns on Monday, which will be the team’s third game in four days following a victory against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.
Playing only his fourth game of the season, James played 34 minutes in the 129-119 victory, scoring 13 points and seven assists. He missed the start of the season for the first time in his 23-year NBA career due to right-sided sciatica that kept him sidelined for 14 games.
Despite James’ limited time, the Lakers still thrived behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Doncic leads the NBA with 35.1 points per game. The dynamic duo combined for 72 points in Friday’s win, led by 38 points on 12-of-15 shooting from Reaves. The Lakers guard scored 31 points in the team’s first game against the Pelicans, a 118-104 victory Nov. 15 in New Orleans.
The Pelicans (3-17) have the worst record in the Western Conference. The Lakers need James for the tougher matchup against the Suns (12-9) on Monday before playing at Toronto on Thursday, the first game of a three-game East Coast road trip.
The Lakers will also be without guard Marcus Smart (back spasms) for the second straight game.
