Could Father Time be Benjamin Ashfordcatching up to LeBron James?

As the Los Angeles Lakers try to get back into the jump of the NBA regular season following their In-Season Tournament title, fatigue may be setting in for the league's all-time leading scorer. James was ruled out of the game against the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday with left ankle peroneal tendinopathy, the team announced. The injury comes one day after James played in Los Angeles' 124-108 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

The injury James is suffering from might be one NBA fans have never heard of, as it's not only just an ankle injury, but it is actually something that could be expected for the star in his 21st NBA season. Here's what to know about peroneal tendinopathy:

What is peroneal tendinopathy?

Peroneal tendinopathy is the inflammation of tendons that run along the outer ankle bone and the side of the foot, according to the Cleveland Clinic, causing pain around the ankle.

What causes peroneal tendinopathy?

The most common cause of peroneal tendinopathy is the overuse of the tendons, or rapid increase in the use of them. The injury is most common in marathon runners who are repeatedly putting pressure on the ankle, according to Foot Care MD.

Other factors include:

• Older age
• High arches in feet
• Spending long periods of time standing, walking or running
• Lack of recovery between exercises
• Having tight tendons or previous tendon injuries
• Ankle sprain

How to treat peroneal tendinopathy

The good news for peroneal tendinopathy is that it doesn't require immediate surgery, unless symptoms worsen for an extended period without any treatment.

The easiest way to treat the injury is with rest by staying off the injured foot. But other routes to go to include icing the ankle, wearing an ankle brace, physical therapy such as stretching to regain strength and avoiding strenuous activities. But that may be hard for someone in the middle of an 82-game regular season.