LeBron James Misses Lakers Practice Amid Personal Absence, Friday Status Uncertain
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers gathered for practice on Wednesday, their first team session since Sunday’s victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. However, one very notable figure was missing from the court: LeBron James.
“LeBron is not with the team right now,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed after practice. “He’s out for personal reasons, excused absence.”
James, who is 39 years old, sat out Sunday’s game against Portland due to soreness in his left foot. It marked the first game he has missed all season, a testament to his durability despite being in his 22nd NBA season.
Strategic Rest for the Lakers
The Lakers’ schedule has provided a rare opportunity for rest, with only two games scheduled over a 10-day stretch from December 9 to December 18. Redick took full advantage of this break, giving the team Monday off entirely and designating Tuesday as an optional “get what you need” day. However, James was not present for any individual meetings with Redick on Tuesday, the coach revealed.
Redick had previously hinted at his relaxed approach to the break, saying after Sunday’s game, “Heck, if somebody wants to go spend a couple of nights in Santa Barbara and relax, that’s fine too. It’s a quarter way through the season.”
As for James, Redick stated that the four-time MVP is “taking some time” and that it remains unclear whether he will rejoin the team in time for their next game on Friday, a road matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Teammates Confident in LeBron’s Return
While James’ absence was felt during practice, Lakers backup center Christian Koloko expressed confidence that the superstar’s time away wouldn’t hinder his ability to contribute upon his return.
“I mean, we know he already knows everything,” Koloko said. “He’s going to come back and he’s still going to be the same. He’s going to give everything on the court.”
Koloko added, “We just got to do our part and just get better so that when he comes back, he can just look at us and be like, ‘Oh, yeah, [they] were actually working,’ when he wasn’t there. But we know he’ll come back and just pick up everything. He’s been in the NBA for a long time.”
LeBron’s Stellar Season So Far
Despite nearing his 40th birthday at the end of the month, James has been putting up impressive numbers this season. He is averaging 23 points on 49.5% shooting (35.9% from three-point range), along with 9.1 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game. Redick has been in constant communication with both James and his longtime athletic trainer, Mike Mancias, to carefully manage the veteran’s workload.
“In-game, he’s asked for a sub a couple times because he’s gassed,” Redick said. “For us, we have to be cognizant as we play more and more games, just the cumulative effect of playing a lot of minutes. And Sunday, being banged up with the foot thing, it felt like a good opportunity for him to get some rest.”
Injury Updates: Austin Reaves Returns to Practice
In other Lakers news, starting shooting guard Austin Reaves, who has missed the past five games with a left pelvic injury, returned to practice on Wednesday. Redick noted that while Reaves participated in most drills, he wasn’t a full participant.
“I wouldn’t call Austin a full participant,” Redick explained. “There was one thing that he sat out that we suggested … that was probably not good for him, just due to the nature of the drill. It was particularly a physical drill, and [we] just want to be mindful of his pain tolerance. But he was a full participant in all the five-on-five, live stuff and all the breakdown drills.”
Reaves is currently considered day-to-day heading into Friday’s game against Minnesota, according to Redick.
Key Takeaways
- LeBron James is currently away from the team for personal reasons and is listed as excused. His status for Friday’s game against the Timberwolves remains uncertain.
- James is averaging 23 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.0 rebounds this season, showcasing his continued dominance despite his age.
- Austin Reaves returned to practice but remains day-to-day as he recovers from a left pelvic injury.
- Coach JJ Redick is focused on managing player workloads during a light stretch in the Lakers’ schedule.
As the Lakers navigate this brief lull in their schedule, all eyes will be on whether LeBron James rejoins the team in time for Friday’s game. For now, the team is focused on staying sharp and ready for the challenges ahead.
Originally Written by: Dave McMenamin
