LeBron James has been ruled out of the Lakers’ Thursday Night game against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to left ankle tendinitis.

It will be the third missed game this season for James, who logged 37 minutes in Los Angeles‘ 124-108 setback to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.

It will also be the second time in two weeks that James has missed the second game of a back-to-back amid what has been a busy schedule for the Lakers following their victorious run through the NBA in-season tournament.

Following the 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists James recorded against the Bulls to fall just short of his second straight triple-double, he admitted to reporters that the heavy workload over the past month was catching up to him.

‘It’s a combination of everything,’ James said. ‘I mean, it’s the emotional fatigue, it’s the physical fatigue, it’s the grind-of-the-season fatigue.’

Lakers forward LeBron James is set to sit out against the Timberwolves due to ankle tendinitis

James is currently averaging 25.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game this season

The Minnesota Timberwolves are 20-6 this season and have won eight of their last 10 games

‘And when you’re not winning, obviously, that’s the frustration fatigue. So, a little combination of everything.’

The Lakers have lost four of their last five games since winning the in-season tournament with their lone win coming in the first game of a back-to-back against the San Antonio Spurs.

They currently sit eighth place in the Western Conference with a record of 15-13.

At 38-years-old James is currently averaging 25.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game throughout his 21st NBA season.

He has not played in more than 56 games since 2020 due to various injuries and as the calendar nears his 39 birthday will likely need to continue taking rest days in order to remain fresh throughout the long NBA season.

Minnesota is currently 20-6 and sit first place Western Conference. The Timberwolves have won eight of their last 10 games.