LeBron James Steps Away From Lakers for “Personal Reasons”
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is taking time away from the team, missing recent games and leaving his return uncertain. James, who initially sat out the Dec. 6 game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to a sore foot, was notably absent again as the Lakers prepared to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 13.
“LeBron is not with the team right now,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick stated during a Dec. 11 press conference, as reported by ESPN. “He’s out for personal reasons, excused absence.”
Neither James nor his representatives have issued a public statement regarding the situation, and E! News reports that attempts to contact his team have not been answered.
The Lakers, already grappling with a challenging season, now face further uncertainty surrounding their star player’s availability.
Timberwolves Defeat Lakers 97-87, Extending Home Dominance Without LeBron James
Anthony Edwards scored 23 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 97-87 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, marking another stellar defensive performance for Minnesota. The win was the Timberwolves’ fifth in six games and extended their dominance over the Lakers at home, where they are 14-2 against them since the 2015-16 season, including four consecutive wins.
Key Performers
- Timberwolves: Julius Randle contributed 21 points, and Jaden McDaniels added 18. Rudy Gobert controlled the boards with a game-high 13 rebounds while also scoring 12 points.
- Lakers: Anthony Davis led Los Angeles with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Austin Reaves, returning after a five-game absence due to a pelvic contusion, scored 18, and Max Christie chipped in 15.
Game Summary
The Lakers, playing without LeBron James for the second straight game, struggled offensively, committing 21 turnovers and shooting just 38.4% from the field. Minnesota’s defense was the difference-maker, holding the Lakers under 40% shooting for the third time in four games and limiting opponents to under 92 points in their last five victories.
Key Moments
A critical play occurred with just over two minutes remaining when Minnesota’s Mike Conley missed a 3-pointer. Rui Hachimura grabbed the rebound for Los Angeles but had the ball stolen by Julius Randle, who set up McDaniels for a layup, extending Minnesota’s lead to 89-82.
Shooting Struggles
Both teams struggled from beyond the arc. Minnesota shot 28.1% (9 of 32) from 3-point range, while the Lakers hit just 28.6% (10 of 35).
Team Trends
- Lakers: Los Angeles has lost eight of its last 11 games, averaging only 103.3 points while allowing 113.7 points during that stretch.
- Timberwolves: Defense continues to fuel Minnesota’s success. Opponents are averaging just 38.4% shooting in their recent games.
What’s Next
The Lakers will return home to face the Memphis Grizzlies, while the Timberwolves head to San Antonio to take on the Spurs on Sunday.
