LOS ANGELES — Lakers forward LeBron James missed his first game of the season on Sunday in the team’s home matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers.
James, who entered Sunday as questionable because of left foot soreness, was upgraded to probable Sunday morning before being downgraded to doubtful 1 1/2 hours before tipoff and eventually ruled out an hour before tipoff.
The 39-year-old star, who turns 40 in three weeks, first appeared on the injury report because of the foot ailment ahead of Friday’s road trip-ending overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
James finished with 39 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, three blocked shots and two steals in 43 minutes against the Hawks.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said ahead of Sunday’s game that he wasn’t aware that James was experiencing foot soreness until after Wednesday’s blowout loss to the Heat in Miami, a game James finished with 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes.
More to come on this story.