LOS ANGELES — LeBron James has been downgraded to out for the Los Angeles Lakers‘ game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night because of a sore left ankle, the team announced.

It will be the ninth missed game for the 39-year-old James this season.

He missed the Lakers’ last game before the All-Star break and the first one out of it while seeking treatment on the ankle, which has been an ongoing issue for the 21-year veteran for months.

The Lakers star limped off the court with just under four minutes to go in the team’s loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.

A source familiar with the injury said it is a “wear and tear” issue for James.

Source: www.espn.com