SAD NEWS: LeBron James downplays ankle issue that has been bothering him for months after the Lakers defeat the Kings.

Due to a persistent left ankle ailment, LeBron left the Lakers’ game against the Kings in the fourth quarter.

LeBron James played down the seriousness of his lingering ankle injury, which led to his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers’ 130-120 defeat against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena with 3:56 remaining in the fourth quarter.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” he reassured.

LeBron exited the court while the Lakers were trailing by 14 points. Assistant coach Darvin Ham observed LeBron grimacing and called for a timeout. Ham stated after the game that he didn’t have detailed information about the injury, except that LeBron was undergoing evaluation, and the Lakers would provide an update later.

LeBron James returned to the Lakers’ locker room as the team trailed the Kings by 14 points with 3:56 left.

Responding to inquiries at his locker shortly afterward, LeBron explained that his left ankle injury, which he has been managing for months, had flared up.

“It’s just my ankle,” he clarified. “It’s the same issue I’ve been dealing with before and after the break. I’m just managing it as best as I can. I played the entire third quarter, rested a bit at the beginning of the fourth, and when I returned, it acted up – it’s something I’ve been handling.”

LeBron is typically listed on the Lakers’ injury report as questionable due to “left ankle peroneal tendinopathy,” which refers to soreness in a tendon on the outer foot/ankle. The 39-year-old has missed nine games this season, primarily due to his ankle.

“Some games it’s better than others,” LeBron remarked. “I didn’t feel it at all against OKC, and it didn’t bother me until the fourth quarter tonight. Each game, each day is different.”

At the time of his departure, LeBron had scored 31 points on 10-of-16 shooting and recorded 13 assists in 36 minutes of play.

After the disappointing loss to the Kings, the Lakers (34-30) slid back to the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference, trailing the Phoenix Suns (36-26) by three games for the No. 6 position.

Los Angeles will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday before facing the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings again, and the Golden State Warriors.