EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — LeBron James did not participate in the Los Angeles Lakers’ practice on Wednesday due to personal matters, according to Coach JJ Redick.
James had previously sat out of the Lakers’ Sunday win over the Portland Trail Blazers, experiencing discomfort in his left foot, marking his first missed game of the current season. Although he was absent from the Lakers’ training facility during their extended break linked to the NBA Cup tournament, Redick characterized this as an “excused absence.”
As the Lakers gear up for their next matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, Redick indicated uncertainty about the availability of both James and teammate Austin Reaves.
“It seems like both of them are day to day,” Redick noted. “We’ll just have to see how they look on Thursday and then again on Friday.”
With James on the verge of turning 40 in less than three weeks, Redick has mentioned previously that the Lakers plan to utilize this four-day lull in games to provide the veteran player with some much-needed rest during his record-equalling 22nd season in the NBA.
Earlier this season, James expressed his ambition to participate in all 82 games, but both he and the Lakers are recognizing the practicality of managing minor injuries that are common throughout any season.
Following a slight shooting dip after Thanksgiving, James found his rhythm again during the recent road trip, delivering impressive performances. He recorded 29 points on 12-of-18 shooting in a difficult loss at Miami and followed that with a remarkable 39-point, 11-assist, and 10-rebound effort in Atlanta last Friday as part of the Lakers’ comeback effort.
The Lakers have struggled with a record of 3-7 since a strong start of 10-4, but Redick remains optimistic about resolving the ongoing issues related to offensive inconsistency and defensive focus. He mentioned having frequent discussions with both James and Anthony Davis about maintaining a strong mental approach during challenging times.
“Honestly, both of them have taken ownership,” Redick stated. “They are the team leaders on the court. I had a great discussion with LeBron last week regarding his performances in Miami and Atlanta, focusing on his leadership and overall play beyond the statistics.”
Reaves has been sidelined for the past five games due to a bruised pelvis. Although he was somewhat limited during Wednesday’s practice, Redick mentioned that Reaves is close to making his return to the lineup.