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LeBron James will miss Friday's game for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team’s injury report lists the four-time NBA MVP as out due to left foot soreness. Additionally, Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed that James is excused for personal reasons, as he was also absent from Wednesday’s practice.
After playing the first 23 games of the season without rest, James is set to miss back-to-back games. The 39-year-old veteran may be in dire need of a break, given the heavy workload he has carried in recent seasons. Last year, James appeared in a Lakers career-high 71 games, followed by five playoff contests and 11 games for Team USA over the summer in preparation for the Paris Olympics, including exhibition matches.
This season, James’ production has seen a slight dip. He is averaging 23.0 points per game—the lowest since his rookie year—on shooting splits of 50% from the field, 36% from three, and 76% from the free-throw line. While he is contributing 8.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game, he is also committing a career-high 4.1 turnovers per contest. At 39, James' decline has been most noticeable on the defensive end, which has impacted the Lakers’ overall performance.
Lakers rookie coach JJ Redick has been transparent about managing James’ workload this season. Redick revealed that the team maintains constant communication with the superstar regarding his health and recovery. “In-game, he’s asked for a sub a couple of times because
he’s gassed,” said Redick (via Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina). “We have to be mindful of the cumulative effect of playing so many minutes as the season progresses.”
James’ initial availability this season has been impressive, but the team may opt for more rest days moving forward. With injured players expected to return and potential roster upgrades through trades, the Lakers could alleviate some of the pressure on their aging star. However, James’ diminishing impact, particularly on defense, underscores the team’s need to adjust its strategies for success.
As the Lakers navigate this season, balancing James’ workload will be critical. While his presence remains vital, a measured approach could help preserve his effectiveness and sustain the team’s competitiveness in the long run.
After playing the first 23 games of the season without rest, James is set to miss back-to-back games. The 39-year-old veteran may be in dire need of a break, given the heavy workload he has carried in recent seasons. Last year, James appeared in a Lakers career-high 71 games, followed by five playoff contests and 11 games for Team USA over the summer in preparation for the Paris Olympics, including exhibition matches.
This season, James’ production has seen a slight dip. He is averaging 23.0 points per game—the lowest since his rookie year—on shooting splits of 50% from the field, 36% from three, and 76% from the free-throw line. While he is contributing 8.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game, he is also committing a career-high 4.1 turnovers per contest. At 39, James' decline has been most noticeable on the defensive end, which has impacted the Lakers’ overall performance.
Lakers rookie coach JJ Redick has been transparent about managing James’ workload this season. Redick revealed that the team maintains constant communication with the superstar regarding his health and recovery. “In-game, he’s asked for a sub a couple of times because
he’s gassed,” said Redick (via Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina). “We have to be mindful of the cumulative effect of playing so many minutes as the season progresses.”
James’ initial availability this season has been impressive, but the team may opt for more rest days moving forward. With injured players expected to return and potential roster upgrades through trades, the Lakers could alleviate some of the pressure on their aging star. However, James’ diminishing impact, particularly on defense, underscores the team’s need to adjust its strategies for success.
As the Lakers navigate this season, balancing James’ workload will be critical. While his presence remains vital, a measured approach could help preserve his effectiveness and sustain the team’s competitiveness in the long run.
