Lakers' LeBron James out, Anthony Davis in vs. Nuggets / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports Credit Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James will sit out the Los Angeles Lakers' key game against the visiting Denver Nuggets on Sunday as the team's star nurses a nagging ankle injury.

While James will sit, Lakers coach Frank Vogel announced Anthony Davis will play in Sunday's game. Davis collected 23 points and 12 rebounds in Los Angeles' 114-111 setback to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday in his return from a 17-game absence due to a mid-foot sprain.

The Lakers (31-46) entered play Sunday one game behind the 10th-place San Antonio Spurs (32-45) for the final play-in tournament spot in the Western Conference.

James, 37, had 38 points and eight rebounds in 40 minutes on Friday.

A four-time NBA MVP and 18-time All-Star, James is averaging 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists in his fourth season with the Lakers.

Davis, 29, has averaged 23.1 points with 9.8 rebounds in 38 games this season.

--Field Level Media

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