Why isn’t LeBron James playing against the Warriors today, 22 Feb.?

On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors will face each other in a highly anticipated game as both teams are looking to jumpstart their season after the All-Star break. Currently, the Lakers and the Warriors are holding the ninth and tenth positions, respectively, in the NBA playoff race. Both teams are hoping that the week-long break hasn’t stalled their momentum.

LeBron James, the four-time NBA champion, has been managing a left ankle injury, and his status for the upcoming games against the San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns is uncertain. The Lakers announced on Wednesday that James had been downgraded to out for Thursday’s game against the Golden State Warriors. James, who had an outstanding performance in their last matchup, scoring 36 points, grabbing 20 rebounds, and recording 12 assists in a double overtime classic against the Warriors in San Francisco last month, had announced at Sunday’s All-Star Game that he would be using the break to get additional treatment for peroneal tendinopathy. This condition affects the tendons in the ankle. While the Lakers aren’t significantly concerned that James will miss extended time, the hope is that the treatment will enable him to finish the season stronger.

The Lakers and the Warriors are tied in the loss column coming out of the All-Star break and will have three more meetings during the regular season. The game on Thursday promises to be a thrilling matchup between two of the NBA’s most followed teams of the last decade. The California rivals have been battling each other on the court for years, and this game will be no different. Both teams will be looking to secure a win to improve their position in the NBA playoff race, which would grant entry into the play-in event.