Monday 23 December 2019 14:50, UK
LeBron James missed his first game of the season for the Los Angeles Lakers as he sat out their match against the Denver Nuggets.
The 34-year-old superstar did not play in Sunday night's 128-104 defeat for the Lakers because of a thoracic muscle strain.
He is listed as day-to-day and coach Frank Vogel had no estimate on how long James would be out. He was hurt in a loss at Indiana on Tuesday and then played through it in a defeat at Milwaukee two nights later.
James has averaged nearly 35 minutes this season, helping the Western Conference-leading Lakers to a 24-6 start. He's averaging 25.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 10.6 assists in his 17th season.
Last season, his first with the Lakers, James was limited to 55 games because of a groin injury.
Forward Kyle Kuzma returned Sunday for the Lakers after missing five games with a sprained left ankle. He also missed four games in October with a stress reaction in the same ankle.
