Lakers rule out LeBron James vs. Bucks because of ankle

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James was demoted for the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night because of left ankle soreness, the team announced.

This will be the ninth game missed for James, 39, this season.

He missed the Lakers' final game before the All-Star break and the first after it while seeking treatment on his ankle, which has been a lingering issue for the 21-year-old veteran for months .

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

A source close to the matter told ESPN that it was a “wear and tear” issue for James.

“It’s just something I have to deal with,” James said after the Kings’ loss.

Despite winning 10 of its last 15 games, Los Angeles has fallen to 10th in the Western Conference playoff race that begins Friday, and the team's upcoming schedule is unforgiving.

The Lakers' next four games will be against the Bucks, the No. 2 team in the East; the Minnesota Timberwolves, the No. 1 team in the West; the West's No. 7 team in Sacramento; and the West's No. 9 team in the Golden State Warriors.

The Lakers are 4-4 this season in games James has missed.