The Lakers were without forward LeBron James and guard Gabe Vincent for Thursday night’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which was the second night of a back-to-back following Wednesday’s 124-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

James and Vincent were both ruled out nearly seven hours before tipoff.

James, who turns 39 later this month, wasn’t available because of tendonitis in his left ankle. He had 25 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in 37 minutes against the Bulls. Thursday was just the third game the four-time NBA MVP has missed this season, with one of the other absences (the Dec. 13 road win against the San Antonio Spurs) also coming on the second night of a back-to-back. He played in both games of the Lakers’ previous four sets of back-to-backs in October and November.

Vincent returned from a seven-week injury absence against the Bulls.

Before Wednesday, he had been limited to just four games and missed the previous 24 (including the In-Season Tournament championship game that didn’t count in the standings) because of a left knee effusion (swollen joint).

Vincent played 14 minutes against the Bulls, recording three points and three assists.

Anthony Davis was listed as questionable Thursday because of a sprained left ankle/bone bruise.

Davis rolled his left ankle late in the third quarter against the Bulls after blocking Coby White’s shot at the rim. He sat out last Friday’s road loss against the Spurs after rolling the same ankle two nights earlier. Davis was subbed out and didn’t play the final four minutes of the third quarter on Wednesday, but he was back on the court to start the fourth, though seemingly still limited by the injury.