Amid an prolonged break for groups that have not superior within the NBA Cup, LeBron James is “taking a while off” from Lakers apply, head coach JJ Redick mentioned.
Redick advised reporters Wednesday that James missed Wednesday’s apply for “private causes” and that his absence was excused. Additional particulars about why James missed apply are unclear.
The Lakers, like the remainder of the NBA that did not attain the NBA Cup quarterfinals, have just a few days off this week. They final performed on Sunday, a 107-98 victory over the Portland Path Blazers. They may then play Friday in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
James missed Sunday’s recreation in opposition to Portland due to left foot soreness. This absence was his first in 24 video games with the Lakers this season. His standing for Friday’s recreation in opposition to Minnesota is unclear.
Redick mentioned earlier than Sunday’s Path Blazers recreation that James’ break day this week “may very well be actually good for him.” After the sport, he inspired all Lakers gamers to benefit from the prolonged start-of-season break.
“Hell, if anybody needs to spend just a few nights in Santa Barbara and calm down, that is advantageous too,” Redick mentioned, by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “It’s 1 / 4 of the way in which by means of the season.”
Not qualifying for the NBA Cup playoff rounds definitely has its benefits.
James will flip 40 on December 30. He is averaging 23 factors, 9.1 assists and eight rebounds per recreation this season and stays some of the dominant forces within the league. It additionally confirmed indicators of damage together with a 10-point effort in a loss to the Timberwolves on Dec. 2 that threatened to finish a 1,242-game double-digit scoring streak.
The Lakers (13-11) additionally stumbled into the NBA Cup break with seven losses in 10 video games, together with a 134-93 loss to the Warmth on Dec. 4. If there are alternatives for James to step again throughout the limits of NBA guidelinesit is smart that he and the Lakers would profit.
“Within the recreation, he was known as for a substitution a number of instances as a result of he was gassed,” Redick mentioned, in response to McMenamin. “For us, we have now to remember that we’re enjoying increasingly more video games, simply the cumulative impact of enjoying a variety of minutes and Sunday, being banged up with the foot, it appeared like an excellent alternative for him to relaxation.” .
It stays to be seen whether or not James can be again for Friday’s recreation and past. His standing — and the Lakers’ reasoning if he misses extra time — can be price monitoring.
