Is LeBron James playing tonight? Injury update for Lakers-Spurs

5 days ago 2

LeBron James has been ruled out of the Los Angeles Lakers’ Wednesday night game against the San Antonio Spurs.

The Lakers announced on Wednesday evening that the 23-year veteran would be out due to left foot joint arthritis and right sciatica. He was originally listed as questionable for the road game in the afternoon by the team.

James played 33 minutes and scored 30 points during the Lakers' game Tuesday night. The 41-year-old said afterwards that at his age, his status for every back-to-back is "TBD." Per ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Lakers coach JJ Redick told reporters that James' left foot was bothering him after playing Tuesday.

LeBron James stats

James made his season debut on Nov. 18 against the Utah Jazz. He's averaged 21.7 points, 6.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game in 18 games played this season.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica has been an ongoing issue for James and delayed the start of his 23rd NBA season.

Sciatica is a pain caused by some level of irritation, pinching, or compression of the sciatic nerve, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The sciatic nerve is located in the lower back and runs down the back of each leg. It begins at the lower part of the spinal cord and extends through the buttocks, back of the thigh and down to the foot.

As a result, the area of pain can range anywhere along the back of the leg.