LeBron James missed the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday because of tendinitis in his left ankle, the team said.
It is the second time in the past two weeks that James has sat out the second leg of a back-to-back, also resting for Los Angeles' 122-119 road victory against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Lakers lost to the Chicago Bulls 124-108 on Wednesday, with James posting 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in 37 minutes. It was the team's 3rd straight loss, and James acknowledged after the game how taxing the stretch after winning the in-season tournament championship has been.
"It's a combination of everything," James said. "I mean, it's the emotional fatigue, it's the physical fatigue, it's the grind-of-the-season fatigue. And when you're not winning, obviously, that's the frustration fatigue. So, a little combination of everything."
Lakers star big man Anthony Davis, who was questionable with a sprain and bone bruise in his left ankle, started the game. Davis tweaked his ankle in the third quarter against Chicago but was able to finish the game.
Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, who saw his first game action in seven weeks against Chicago, did not play against the Wolves because of his left knee.