BREAKING: LeBron James' Final Status For Kings-Lakers Game

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, LeBron James has been ruled out for Saturday's game.

Dec 6, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a three point basket against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

On Saturday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers will be without LeBron James when they host the Sacramento Kings.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, James has been ruled out due to an illness.

The four-time NBA Champion is averaging 23.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 9.0 assists per contest while shooting 49.6% from the field and 35.7% from the three-point range in 28 games.

Via McMenamin: "LeBron James will miss Saturday’s game against SAC with an illness, sources told ESPN. It will be his third missed game of the season. The illness kept James out of Friday’s practice, too."

LeBron James will miss Saturday’s game against SAC with an illness, sources told ESPN. It will be his third missed game of the season. The illness kept James out of Friday’s practice, too.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 29, 2024

The good news for the Lakers is that they have been excellent against Sacramento this season.

They are a perfect 3-0, so a victory on Saturday would complete the season sweep.

LeBron James is OUT with an illness for tonight’s game vs. the Kings, per @mcten pic.twitter.com/Cr43hqNj5d

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 29, 2024

The Lakers have gone 17-13 in their first 30 games, which has them as the sixth seed in the west.

They are 4.0 games back of Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies for the second seed.

In their most recent game, the Lakers defeated Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors by a score of 115-113 (on Christmas) in San Francisco.

The Lakers say LeBron James (illness) has been downgraded to out for tonight’s home game against Sacramento.

It's the debut for Kings interim coach Doug Christie.

More NBA from me: https://t.co/IIIlAlphrN

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 29, 2024

On the other side, the Kings just recently fired head coach Mike Brown.

Therefore, Saturday will be the first game that Doug Christie is at the helm.

Via McMenamin: "Sacramento Kings interim coach Doug Christie oversees his first shootaround on the job with Ice Cube’s “It Was a Good Day” blasting in the background. The NBA is an unceasing wheel of change."

Sacramento Kings interim coach Doug Christie oversees his first shootaround on the job with Ice Cube’s “It Was a Good Day” blasting in the background. The NBA is an unceasing wheel of change. pic.twitter.com/kqbRuirBpV

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 28, 2024