Amid an prolonged break for groups that did not advance within the NBA Cup, LeBron James “is taking some time” from Lakers apply, head coach JJ Redick mentioned.
on Wednesday that James missed Wednesday’s apply for “personal reasons” and that his absence was excused. Additional particulars of why James missed apply are unclear.
The Lakers, like the remainder of the NBA that did not advance to the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup, have just a few days off this week. They final performed on Sunday, a 107-98 win over the Portland Path Blazers. They’re going to subsequent play on Friday towards the Minnesota Timberwolves.
James missed Sunday’s sport towards Portland with left foot soreness. The absence was his first in 24 Lakers video games this season. His standing for Friday’s sport towards Minnesota is unclear.
Redick mentioned earlier than Sunday’s Path Blazers sport that point off for James this week “could be really good for him.” After the sport, he inspired all Lakers gamers to profit from the prolonged early season break.
“Heck, if somebody wants to go spend a couple of nights in Santa Barbara and relax, that’s fine too,” Redick mentioned, . “It’s a quarter way through the season.”
Failing to make the NBA Cup elimination spherical definitely has its upside.
James will flip 40 on Dec. 30. He is averaged 23 factors, 9.1 assists and eight rebounds per sport this season and stays one of many league’s most dominant forces. He is additionally confirmed indicators of damage, together with in a loss to the Timberwolves on Dec. 2 that threatened to snap a streak of 1,242 consecutive video games scoring in double figures.
The Lakers (13-11) additionally stumbled into the NBA Cup break with seven losses in 10 video games, together with a 134-93 defeat to the Warmth on Dec. 4. If there are alternatives for James to take a step again , it is sensible for him and the Lakers to take benefit.
“In game, he’s asked for a sub a couple times because he’s gassed,” Redick mentioned, per McMenamin. “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.”
Whether or not James is again for Friday’s sport and past stays to be seen. His standing — and the Lakers’ reasoning if he does miss extra time — will probably be price watching.
