Lebron misses first game of season
LOS ANGELES — Lakers star Lebron James did not travel with the team to Sacramento after Tuesday night’s loss to the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center and will miss his first game of the season Wednesday.
The Lakers said James was staying in Los Angeles to receive undisclosed treatment.
James had played 37 minutes, 38 seconds in the 114-104 loss to the Suns, scoring a game-high 38 points. He played in the first 36 games of the season and averaged 34.6 minutes per game.
James had frowned on suggestions that his minutes be cut down. By not playing against the Kings, James will get a chance to rest a little more because the All-star break begins Thursday for the Lakers.
He’ll captain a team in the All-star Game Sunday in Atlanta, but the Lakers don’t resume play until March 12.
Mavs’ Doncic sits due to back issue
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic was ruled out against Oklahoma City on Wednesday night, sidelined by lower back tightness that coach Rick Carlisle said shouldn’t cost him his second Allstar appearance this weekend.
Doncic showed up on the injury report Tuesday, a day after scoring 33 points in a 130-124 victory at Orlando. It was the sixth game of the season of at least 30 points for Doncic, who turned 22 on Sunday.
Carlisle said Doncic has been battling a back issue recently and has worn a heat massage belt in two recent practices. Doncic will sit at the recommendation of athletic trainer Casey Smith.
“It’s something he needs to take a game,” Carlisle said. “He wants to play, but Casey felt this is something we need to do.”
Doncic is sixth in the NBA in scoring at 28.6 points per game and fifth in assists at 9.0 per game. He and Brooklyn’s James Harden are tied for third in triple-doubles with eight.
Rockets’ Nwaba out six weeks
The Rockets’ injury issues took a more severe turn with forward David Nwaba’s wrist injury requiring surgery that will put him out for a minimum of six weeks, Rockets coach Stephen Silas said.
Nwaba was hurt on a dunk against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. He tried to warm up before Monday’s game but immediately left the court when he was unable to shoot. Nwaba has been among the steadiest Rockets players this season, averaging 9.4 points on 48.1 percent shooting while bringing consistent high energy and strong defense. He is in his first season since coming back from a ruptured Achilles last season with the Nets.
The Rockets on Wednesday had the minimum of eight players allowed for an NBA game with Danuel House Jr. ruled out with a bruised right knee and Eric Gordon with a sore left knee.
Center Christian Wood, guard Dante Exum and forward Rodions Kurucs were already out. Kevin Porter Jr. and K.J. Martin are with the Rockets G League affiliate, but expected to join the Rockets after the All-star break.