39-year-old 20-time Los Angeles Lakers All-Star vet LeBron James has been doing unbelievable things on the hardwood for the 36-30 Purple and Gold all year.

The 6’9″ combo forward is averaging 25.3 points on .530/.407/.742 shooting splits, eight assists, 7.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per bout.
Unfortunately, that level of output has come at a cost for the previously more durable four-time MVP.

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, a source has informed him that James has been dealing with a sore left ankle, considered a “wear-and-tear” injury, since the All-Star break, and will have to play through it for the rest of the season. He’s missed nine games altogether due to the ankle and various other minor ailments. Most recently, James sat out LA’s surprise 123-122 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at Crypto.com Arena Friday.

He did play in yesterday’s win over the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves, one of the top-seeded clubs in the entire Western Conference. James scored 29 points on 10-of-16 field goal attempts (2-of-4 from three-point land), pulled down eight boards and dished out nine dimes.

Not too a shabby for a guy playing through a nagging injury, really. He’ll at least get a few days off to rest his weary bones. LA doesn’t play again until Wednesday, when it will get an opportunity to avenge its 130-120 loss last week to the Sacramento Kings.