Lakers' LeBron James likely out at least two more games due to ankle

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James missed six weeks of action with a high ankle sprain he suffered on March 20, returned for two contests but aggravated the ankle in Sunday's loss to the Toronto Raptors, and sat out of Monday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets to rest the problem. 

It looks like the four-time NBA champion won't play this week.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports James is expected to miss Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers and Friday's showdown with the Portland Trail Blazers as he continues to rest the ankle ahead of the playoffs. Wojnarowski added the 36-year-old could remain sidelined for additional contests depending on future evaluations of the ankle. 

The Lakers welcome the Phoenix Suns to town on Sunday. 

Without James available, the Lakers defeated the Nuggets 93-89 to improve to 37-28 and rise to fifth place in the Western Conference standings. The clubs that finish the regular season in the top six spots of the conference standings avoid the dreaded play-in tournament that James criticized Sunday night. He has also suggested he won't "ever get back to 100%" during his career following this injury, so it's understandable the Lakers are planning to proceed with caution.