EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Lakers play the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday night at Staples Center. Here are three things to consider:

1. Starting with the big news: Anthony Davis is struggling with tendonosis in his right Achilles tendon and will sit out this one out.

Tendonosis is typically more of an issue than tendonitis because it can symbolize a chronic occurrence instead of a short-term event. There is sometimes degradation of collagen or connective tissue in the affected area.

It is unclear if Davis will miss time beyond Monday's game. He scored 30 points in the Lakers’ double-overtime victory Saturday over Detroit.

Lakers players have dealt with similar issues in their not-too-distant past. Pau Gasol had tendonosis in both of his knees back in 2013 and opted for off-season procedures that included an ultrasonic treatment and stem cell injections. He was 32 back then and recovered in time for the start of the 2013-14 season, where his stats actually improved from the previous season.

2. An interesting part of the Lakers’ schedule is coming up — two games against Oklahoma City and one against Memphis.

Some might predict a 3-0 week, but there are potential trap games — especially if Davis misses extended time.

The Lakers haven’t been great at home and were pushed to the brink Saturday before beating Detroit and improving to 6-4 at Staples Center.

Oklahoma City (10-12) and Memphis (9-9), despite mediocre records, are actually good on the road: The Thunder are 7-4, while the Grizzlies are 6-3.

Both teams are young. Kenrich Williams was the oldest starter for the Thunder in their last game. He’s all of 26 years old. Memphis is also a young team, with just one player older than 28.

This could be a good week for the Lakers to improve their home record — if they beat the teams they’re supposed to beat.

3. LeBron James has played great lately, reaffirming his status as a top MVP candidate.

James is loving the month of February so far, averaging 27 points and 10 assists in three games.

One number I don’t like: His minutes are on the rise. We talked a few short weeks ago about the Lakers doing a solid job of keeping his minutes in the low 30s, if not occasionally the high 20s if the Lakers blew out a team and James wasn’t needed in the fourth quarter.

He’s now averaging 38 minutes the last seven games, including 46 against Detroit. After some optimistic talk about fewer minutes this season, he’s right around where he was last year.

No arguments can be held about the way the 36-year-old has played — and he’s been there in every game — but a trend toward fewer minutes would be better.