It appears like LeBron James will miss another game due to his persistent ankle issue, which has bothered him throughout the season. Due to left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, the All-Star forward is labeled as questionable for Tuesday’s Lakers game against the Bucks.

He has spent a large portion of the season on the injured report due to the same condition.

LeBron James’s chances of playing in both of the team’s back-to-back games against the Bucks and Grizzlies on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, were always remote. In addition, there will be three games in five nights, including a game on Friday versus the Pacers.

Prior to and during the All-Star break, LeBron missed the Lakers’ last two back-to-back games.

Interestingly, if LeBron sits out Tuesday’s game, he won’t face the Bucks this season. On March 8, LeBron took the bench against Milwaukee, a game in which D’Angelo Russell had one of his best performances during his time with the Lakers.

The Lakers are 5-4 this season without LeBron. It’s also important to remember that the Lakers have two more back-to-backs coming up, one of which will cap off their next road trip, so it will be interesting to see whether he plays in either of them.

LeBron struggled in both of the games over the weekend against the Sixers and Pacers, but he picked it up in the fourth quarter. It’s unclear whether it may be directly linked to his ankle, but it adds context to the event.

LeBron’s injury may be easier to take given that the Lakers’ playoff destiny is becoming more certain. The Lakers are 2.5 games ahead of the Warriors for the tenth spot with 11 games to go, and they are 2.5 games behind the Mavericks and Kings for the seventh and eighth spots.

Though things may suddenly change, the Lakers can afford to rest LeBron in the hopes of having him fully ready for the postseason since they are in a comfortable, if not desirable, position in the playoffs.