Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images When the 2018-19 NBA schedule was released, a late-season contest between the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks seemed like a safe bet to be a must-watch event. Unfortunately, one fan who spent nearly $7,000 on tickets to Tuesday's game found out the hard way that things don't always go as planned: The Lakers announced LeBron James would miss the game with a sore left groin, while Giannis Antetokounmpo was among three Bucks players ruled out, per the Bucks. A lot of the game's luster was gone before both superstars were ruled out because the Lakers have collapsed. They are 9.5 games out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference with 12 games remaining. On the bright side, at least this fan isn't the person who spent more than $10,000 for the first North Carolina-Duke game when Zion Williamson only played 36 seconds before blowing out his shoe and injuring his knee.<doc-sep>Giannis Antetokounmpo is questionable with a right ankle sprain for the Milwaukee Bucks' home matchup Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Antetokounmpo, a front-runner for the league MVP award, turned his ankle during the Bucks' loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. Antetokounmpo crumpled to the ground after colliding with Joel Embiid while driving to the basket late in the third quarter. He stayed on the ground for nearly a minute, clutching his right ankle before getting back on his feet. When Antetokounmpo did get up, he walked gingerly on his right leg but still made two free throws. He ended up staying in the game and went on to finish with a career-high 52 points. "It feels good," Antetokounmpo said after the game. "I tweaked it a little bit. At first, you feel a little bit of pain, but when the adrenaline kicks in, you are able to keep playing. It was a big game. I just wanted to keep playing." Antetokounmpo left the arena with a protective sleeve on the ankle underneath his sock. Antetokounmpo is averaging a team-high 27.5 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. The Bucks are also without Malcolm Brogdon, who is sidelined for six to eight weeks with a minor plantar fascia tear in his right foot. Sterling Brown (right wrist soreness) is out and Donte DiVincenzo (bilateral heel bursitis) is doubtful, according to the NBA's injury report.<doc-sep>Seth Wenig/Associated Press Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will not play in Tuesday night's game against the Milwaukee Bucks because of a sore left groin, according to the Los Angeles Times' Tania Ganguli. James has averaged 27.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.0 assists in his 16th NBA season. His 26.0 PER ranks 14th among all qualified players, per Basketball Reference. Those numbers prove the four-time NBA MVP's dominance during the back nine of his career, but James is also looking at his first season outside the playoffs since 2004-05. Injuries have taken a toll on the Lakers' best players, including James. Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball suffered season-ending injuries, and Kyle Kuzma has been bothered by ankle injuries. James sat for 17 games with a groin strain suffered against the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day, a time that highlighted the highs and frustrations of Los Angeles' season. The Lakers beat the defending NBA champions 127-101 on the road that evening and showed what they're capable of doing on any given night, but injuries have prevented the team from reaching its full potential. James isn't used to being out for long stretches. He's been sidelined the occasional game for rest or been out for a few matchups with assorted injuries, but the three-time NBA champion never sat more than seven games in a season during his first 11 NBA campaigns. He played a career-low 69 games in 2014-15, but this year will set a new mark for games missed. Video Play Button Videos you might like Still, the King's durability and endurance have been remarkable, and the same goes for his ability to play at a high level despite the mileage he's accumulated during 16 regular seasons and 13 postseasons. The Lakers will have trouble replacing his production, but expect Kyle Kuzma to assume the role of primary scorer. He's averaging 18.6 points on 46.4 percent shooting this season. Mike Muscala is a candidate to enter the starting lineup for James, which he did when the 34-year-old sat for rest last Friday against the Detroit Pistons.<doc-sep>
Joe Robbins/Getty Images Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has been ruled out of Tuesday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Fiserv Forum because of a right ankle sprain. Pau Gasol, Sterling Brown (right wrist soreness) and Donte DiVincenzo (bilateral heel bursitis) also will not suit up for the Bucks. The Lakers previously ruled out four-time NBA MVP LeBron James due to a sore left groin. Injuries are not something the 24-year-old Antetokounmpo has dealt with much early in his career. He missed just 17 total games in his first five years in the league. Never has he appeared in fewer than 75. This season, however, he missed an October contest while in concussion protocol, a game in January as the result of a sore right quad and one in February with a sore right knee. Even while dealing with a few injuries, the Bucks star has put himself in the MVP conversation with his best season to date. Antetokounmpo is averaging 27.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals in 65 games in 2018-19. And not only are his individual numbers ridiculous, but he has also helped Milwaukee (52-18) remain among the best teams in the NBA. The Bucks sit in first place in the East, 2.5 games clear of the Toronto Raptors, and have the best record in the league. Milwaukee is a well-rounded team, but without the Greek Freak, it's hard to imagine it as a serious contender. Antetokounmpo can do just about anything on the court, making his production tough to replace. Video Play Button Videos you might like His health needs to be the No. 1 priority in Milwaukee with a playoff spot already wrapped up. The Bucks will only go as far as Antetokounmpo can carry them, so making sure he is as healthy as possible for the postseason gives them their best shot at getting out of the first round since 2001.