Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers star LeBron James out Wednesday, could miss more time with knee injury

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 2/1/22

Prior to last week's game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was deemed questionable for the contest. No. 6 ended up missing the battle and hasn't suited up since.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, James will likely be out for the Lakers' next game on Wednesday and could miss some additional time after that.

Lakers star LeBron James is expected to miss Wednesday’s game vs. Portland, and could be out a few more games due to irritation in left knee, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Sides want to be cautious and allow James to return once irritation subsides.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 1, 2022

Los Angeles will enter the matchup with the Trail Blazers on a three-game losing streak (all with James out of the lineup), and the Lakers currently sit ninth in the Western Conference at 24-27. Portland is 21-30 and just three games behind L.A. The two teams would be the final two groups in the play-in tournament if the season ended today.

The Lakers have gone 19-17 this season when "King James" plays and 5-10 when he sits, including losing six of the last seven when he is on the bench.

"LBJ" leads Los Angeles this season in points (29.1), steals (1.6) and minutes per game (36.6), while pacing the squad in field goals (10.9) and three-pointers per tilt (2.8) as well. James also ranks second on the team in assists per game (6.3) and third in rebounds per contest (7.7).

The 17-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion's scoring average is his highest since his final season during his first run with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010, when he posted 29.7 points per game.

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