Lakers vs. Spurs: Injuries spell trouble for L.A. as Spurs look to capitalize

The Los Angeles Lakers will host the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night without LeBron James, who is out with left foot arthritis.

His absence from Tuesday’s game ends his unprecedented run of 21 consecutive seasons with an All-NBA selection because he will fall short of the league’s 65-game eligibility minimum.

The Lakers are set to take on the Spurs at home without LeBron James.

Lakers 41-year-old star LeBron James was listed as out for Tuesday's game, ruled out with left foot arthritis on the league’s official injury report. It marks his 18th missed game on the season, leaving him short of the 65-game minimum required for consideration for postseason awards under the NBA’s player participation rules.

James has been selected to one of the league’s three All-NBA teams in each of the last 21 seasons, a streak that began in 2004-05 and is considered one of the most remarkable longevity feats in league history.

It's the second game of the Lakers' home back-to-back stretch, falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder last night. James has previously indicated he would avoid playing both ends of back-to-backs as the team manages his workload late in his career.

For the Lakers it will be an severely short handed evening against a four-game winning streak Spurs. While James is out the Lakers have ruled out fellow All-Star Luka Doncic with a left hamstring strain, guard Austin Reaves with a left calf issue, and guard Marcus Smart with right ankle soreness.

For the Spurs, all looks well. The last time the two teams met in December, the Spurs took the win 132-119. On the season, the Spurs are doing quite well, standing at No. 2 in the Western Conference and fresh off a win against the Mavericks, 138-125, putting them at 36-16.

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