Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Lakers' LeBron James likely to sit out rest of season

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 4/6/22

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers were officially eliminated from postseason contention after a 121-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

With only three games remaining in the season for Los Angeles, Marc Stein reports that it's likely star LeBron James won't suit up again this season for the Lakers.

One source close to the situation said Tuesday that LeBron was likely to continue sitting — no matter what that did to his scoring title chances — if the Lakers were eliminated from play-in consideration. We’ll soon see if that stance holds.

More NBA: https://t.co/LGN9cVpeGP https://t.co/lXOn1wd54G
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 7, 2022

James did not play in what amounted to an elimination game for the Lakers on Tuesday night. James has missed the last two contests for the Lakers with an ankle injury. James was injured on March 27 against the New Orleans Pelicans, rolling his left ankle while attempting to box out for a rebound. The Lakers didn't immediately know the severity of James' ankle injury, but head coach Frank Vogel called it "the latest and maybe biggest blow to our psyche."

The games remaining don't mean anything for the Lakers. However, James still has a realistic shot at winning a scoring title. James is averaging 30.3 PPG, just behind NBA leader Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers (30.4).

James has won the NBA scoring title once in his 18-year career, averaging 30 PPG to take the crown in 2008.

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