7:06 PM ET
SAN ANTONIO — LeBron James sat out the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 125-121 overtime win over the Spurs on Tuesday because of a sore right ankle.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel, when asked about James’ injury before the game, said the team is taking “a marathon approach” with him. Malik Monk started in James’ place and had 17 points. Rajon Rondo had 8 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds in his return to the rotation.
James suffered the injury in Sunday’s win against the Memphis Grizzlies when Desmond Bane fell into James’ right leg after scoring a layup, causing James to go to the floor.
Team medical staff evaluated James and made the decision to hold him out. James did not test the ankle out on the court Tuesday.
James missed 26 games last season with a high right ankle sprain, but Vogel said the Lakers star did not aggravate that injury.
“Same ankle. Different