LeBron James and Anthony Davis, two of the best players in the NBA, were ruled out of the Lakers’ national televised game on Thursday night against the East-leading Celtics because of “active” ailments, which coach Darvin Ham claimed the club has been handling all season.

According to the team, James has a left ankle issue. Davis sat with left hip cramps and an Achilles tendon problem.

Got a little heated up. However, we let them to fire about and assess the situation,” Ham said before to kickoff. “In the end, it was decided that they wouldn’t be playing.”

He did not provide an estimated duration of absence for either player.

In an attempt to raise their position in a close Western Conference playoff bаttle, it was the first time this season that both players have missed a game together for the Lakers. Los Angeles started the day ranked eighth.

Of the 49 Lakers games this season, James has participated in 44 of them. This season, Davis has made 46 appearances.

Davis has missed two games in a row during the Lakers’ current six-game road trip. James scored 20 points in 36 minutes of action during Tuesday’s 138-122 defeat for the Lakers in Atlanta. Their record now stands at 24-25 for the season after they suffered their second consecutive double-digit defeat.

James and Davis will be replaced from the beginning by center Jaxson Hayes and forward Jarred Vanderbilt, according to Ham. Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, and D’Angelo Russell will be joining them in the lineup.

“Even without our two big dogs, we still have guys in the locker room who are highly skilled and competitive,” Ham said. Avoid attempting to live alone on an island. Simply attempt to complete the task as a group.