LeBron James will not be in the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 NBA season.
With Los Angeles' 111-106 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, the Lakers have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Los Angeles' record now stands at 31-41 for the season and the Lakers sit at 11th in the Western Conference.
James' Lakers were in contention for much of the beginning of the season until the four-time MVP suffered a groin injury Christmas Day.
He missed his team's next 17 games, which saw Los Angeles go 6-11 and fall out of a playoff spot.
The Lakers never recovered and have gone 11-27 since James suffered the injury.
“It is a tough season for all of us,” James said. “It is not what we signed up for. Throughout the year things happen, suspensions, injuries.
“You don't even try to wrap your head around it. Just keep pushing see how you can get better. The playoffs is never a promise. You got to come out and do the work.
“For me personally, you do the work and see what you can do to help.”
It has been a season of blown opportunities, broken promises and with the Lakers now officially out of contention late in the season, it leaves the coaching staff and the front office under fire.
“I played a lot basketball over the last 16 years. So for me to go into an offseason as healthy as possible will give me time to recalibrate my body and recalibrate my mind and get ready for next season,” James said.
It has been a season of blown opportunities, broken promises and with the Lakers now officially out of contention late in the season, it leaves the coaching staff and the front office under fire.
“One thing you can't control is injuries. Throughout the whole season we just had bodies, bodies, bodies be down. It is hard to get chemistry on the floor,” he said.
(with inputs from AFP)
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