Lakers’ LeBron James (calf contusion) to miss first game of season

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will miss Sunday’s home game against the Portland Trail Blazers with a left calf contusion, 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 win over the Phoenix Suns in the in-season championship game. The incident occurred with 4 minutes and 22 seconds left in the first quarter, when James broke through to the basket and was inadvertently hit by Kevin Durant’s knee, causing an injury to his left calf. James established himself at the baseline and then received treatment on the bench.

After the game, James was seen walking with a slight limp and told reporters that his calf was sore. The Lakers (4-5) initially listed James as doubtful for Sunday’s game, then demoted him hours before the game.

“He’s got some calf issues, hurt his knee the last game, so, (we’re) just being proactive,” coach Davon Hamm said. “There’s no reason to put him in trouble so early. But it’s an opportunity for him to get some treatment (and) not force it. So he’s day-to-day, but he certainly wasn’t going to be there tonight.”

Hamm said he didn’t think the injury was “anything ‘big,'” but said it caused James a lot of discomfort and the decision was made to sideline him now so he can rest for the rest of the game. The Lakers host the Grizzlies on Tuesday and the Kings on Wednesday.

In his 21st NBA season, James averaged a team-high 25.2 points per game, along with 8.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists.