MINNEAPOLIS — LeBron James is currently experiencing a significant shooting slump, particularly from beyond the arc.
In a recent game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Los Angeles Lakers faced a tough 109-80 defeat, during which James missed all four of his attempts from three-point range.
This performance marks an alarming stretch, as he has failed to make a single 3-pointer in his last 19 attempts over the past four matches.
Adding to his struggles, James recorded just 10 points in this outing, shooting 4 for 16 overall and contributing to six turnovers, the highest number for his team in the game.
Following the match, he reflected on the Lakers’ standing at the quarter mark of their 2024-25 season, now at 12-9 under rookie head coach J.J. Redick.
“I wouldn’t say I’m happy with it. I would never say that,” James stated, acknowledging the situation.
“This is our record, and we’ve just got to continue to improve both offensively and defensively.”
While James leads the team in scoring, his average of 22 points per game is the lowest he has recorded since his rookie season 21 years ago.
“Right now, we’re just not performing well offensively. We’ve focused so much on correcting our defense that our offense seems to be falling behind,” he explained.
Notably, James has been unable to hit a three-pointer since he tied Kyle Korver for seventh place on the NBA’s all-time career three-pointers list last week.
His fourth attempt against the Timberwolves was an air ball, eliciting a reaction from the crowd at Target Center.
The issues aren’t limited to long-range shots; his mid-range shots have also been affected.
“It’s just everything—I’m really off rhythm lately,” he admitted.
So, how does he plan to overcome this slump? “Just work. That’s it,” James responded resolutely.
Despite these setbacks, he maintains his goal of participating in all 82 games this season, although his recent form raises questions about whether this is wise.
Coach Redick remarked on monitoring player performance closely, stating, “He does an excellent job of taking care of his body and recovering. I’m unsure if that’s the best route for him or the team, but if he feels good, he should play.”
James, who turns 40 on December 30, still emphasizes his desire to achieve this milestone but refrained from discussing potential rest days.
The more pressing concern for the Lakers is finding a rhythm offensively as they adapt to Redick’s new system and coaching staff.
Their 80-point performance against Minnesota was the lowest the team has recorded since a 122-73 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in 2017.
Star player Anthony Davis expressed the urgency of the situation, noting, “Sometimes we look like a team that can compete with anyone, and at other times, we appear disorganized and uncompetitive. We need to determine the type of team we want to be moving forward this season.”
