Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will miss Sunday’s home game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to a bruised left calf, the team announced.
This is the first game that the 38-year-old James has missed this season.
He suffered the injury during Friday’s 122-119 season championship win over the Phoenix Suns. The incident happened with 4 minutes and 22 seconds left in the first quarter. James rushed to the basket with the ball and was accidentally hit in the left calf by Kevin Durant’s knee. James remained calm at the back before receiving treatment on the bench.
After the game, James was seen walking with a slight limp and told reporters his calf hurt. The Lakers (4-5) initially listed James as questionable for Sunday’s game, then demoted him hours before tipoff.
In his 21st season in the NBA, James averaged a team-high 25.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.