Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James didn’t look like himself in Monday’s 109-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns, and he gave a reason for his night off 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 nose problem since Friday but is continuing to deal with it.

The nose problem must be inconvenient for the four-time NBA MVP, as James had his worst shooting performance in more than a decade. His field goal percentage of 21.4 percent was his lowest in a regular season game since October 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 heading into the 2023-2024 season. He led the Lakers with 25.7 points, 8.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game, while also adding 7.3 rebounds in 71 appearances.

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

James admitted to reporters in March that his legendary career was coming to an end.

“Not very long,” he said after scoring 40 points in a win over the Brooklyn Nets. “Not very long. I’m obviously on the other side 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 is.” The door will close until I retire, but I don’t have much time left.”

If James continues to be hampered by his nose problem, the Lakers will have to rely more on big man Anthony Davis to carry the load on offense. If James has to miss time, more minutes are available in the frontcourt for players like Rui Hachimura and Cam Reddish.