The Los Angeles Lakers have ruled LeBron James out of Tuesday’s home game against the San Antonio Spurs because of arthritis in his left foot, the team confirmed Monday.
The absence will be James’ 18th of the 2025-26 season, preventing him from reaching the 65-game minimum required for postseason awards and ending his record streak of 21 consecutive All-NBA selections.
Head coach Darvin Ham will also be without Luka Doncic (left hamstring strain), Austin Reaves (left calf injury management) and Marcus Smart (right ankle soreness). Los Angeles faces San Antonio at Crypto.com Arena.
According to team officials, Doncic’s strain is considered “mild.” Sources told ESPN he ran on Monday and is scheduled for a full-contact 5-on-5 session Tuesday. The 26-year-old has not ruled out playing Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks—his former club—or participating in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game at the Intuit Dome. This season, Doncic led all players in fan voting with more than 3 million ballots.
Deandre Ayton is listed as questionable with right knee soreness, while rookie forward Adou Thiero is available after missing time since Dec. 30 with a sprained MCL in his right knee.
The Lakers enter Tuesday at 32-20, trailing the Spurs, who are 36-16. San Antonio holds a 2-1 edge in the head-to-head series.
Source: ESPN
