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Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James didn’t look like himself in Monday’s 109-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns, and he provided a reason for his off-night after the game.

James, who scored just 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting in the loss, told reporters that he has been dealing with a nasal issue since Friday but is continuing to play through it.

The nasal issue must be uncomfortable for the four-time NBA MVP, as James had his worst shooting performance in over a decade. His field goal percentage of 21.4 percent was his lowest in a regular-season game since Oct. 31, 2007.

Through four games, James is averaging 20.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists while shooting 44.6 percent from the field for the 3-1 Lakers. He had shot over 50 percent from the field in each of the previous four seasons.

At 39 years old, James was still at the top of his game during the 2023-24 campaign. He led the Lakers with 25.7 points, 8.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game while also adding 7.3 rebounds across 71 appearances.

With James leading the way, the Lakers finished with a 47-35 record last year and fell to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.

James admitted to reporters in March that his legendary career is winding down.

“Not very long,” he said after putting up 40 points in a win over the Brooklyn Nets. “Not very long. I’m on the other side, obviously, of the hill. So I’m not going to play another 21 years; that’s for damn sure. But not very long. I don’t know what or when that door will close as far as when I retire, but I don’t have much time left.”

If James continues to be hindered by his nasal issue, the Lakers will have to rely more on star big man Anthony Davis to shoulder the load on offense. If James is forced to miss time, more minutes will be available in the frontcourt for players like Rui Hachimura and Cam Reddish.