Sawt Falasteen - Sore ankle sidelines LeBron

James's fourth missed game of the season comes just three days after he scored a season-high 42 points in a victory over Golden State, joining league icon Michael Jordan as the only players to score 40 points in a game at the age of 40.

The performance gave James the dual distinction of being both the youngest and oldest player to score 40 in a game. He did it at 19 years and 88 days old in his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and again at 40 years and 38 days old on Thursday.

In his 22nd season, James is averaging 24.5 points, 9.0 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game.

Going into Saturday's home game against the Pacers, the Lakers have won four straight and 10 of their last 12 games.

They are also eagerly awaiting the debut of prized acquisition Luka Doncic, the 25-year-old Slovenian star who led Dallas to the NBA Finals last season but was traded by the Mavericks in a shock deal for Anthony Davis last week.

Doncic, who arrived in Los Angeles nursing a calf strain, is expected to make his Lakers debut when they host the Utah Jazz on Monday.

D.Qudsi--SF-PST