"James, whose NBA record of scoring double-digit points in 1,297 consecutive regular season games came to an end Thursday, will be sidelined with right sciatica and left foot joint arthritis, the Lakers announced ahead of tipoff Friday. The soon-to-be 41-year-old (James's birthday is Dec. 30) made his season debut on Nov. 18 after missing Los Angeles' first 14 games. James was diagnosed with sciatica before the start of this season, which kept him away from game action."
"The Lakers (16-5) will be shorthanded and the Celtics (13-9) will continue to be without one of their own superstars during Friday night's rivalry game at TD Garden. Notably, both teams are playing the second night of a back-to-back. With Boston's Jayson Tatum still rehabbing from his torn Achilles, Los Angeles will similarly be without three of their standout players: LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and ex-Celtic Marcus Smart."
"Doncic, who was dealt to Los Angeles in February's stunning trade with the Mavericks last season, is out due to personal reasons. His fiancée reportedly recently gave birth to their second child, a daughter, in Slovenia. As for Smart, 31, a former longtime and beloved member of the Celtics, he will not play due to a left lumbar muscle strain. Since being traded to the Grizzlies in June 2023, Smart has only faced Boston once (Dec. 7, 2024, with Memphis). Injuries have kept him out of several potential contests against his ex-team, which he played for for nearly a decade."
The Lakers (16-5) and Celtics (13-9) meet on the second night of a back-to-back with both teams missing key players. Boston remains without Jayson Tatum while Los Angeles will be without LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Marcus Smart. LeBron's NBA streak of 1,297 consecutive regular-season games with double-digit scoring ended; he is sidelined with right sciatica and left foot joint arthritis after making his season debut on Nov. 18. Doncic is out for personal reasons following the recent birth of his second child. Smart will not play due to a left lumbar muscle strain and has appeared in 48 games since being traded.
Read at Boston.com
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