(Scypre.com) – Los Angeles Lakers head coach J.J. Redick announced on Thursday that star player LeBron James is currently away from the team due to “personal reasons.” Redick characterized James’ absence as an “excused absence,” leaving his status for Friday’s game uncertain. The news comes as James, already nursing a foot injury, missed Wednesday’s matchup—his first absence of the season. As James approaches his 40th birthday later this month, speculation is growing that the physical toll of his illustrious career is becoming more evident. Known as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, James’ current season has raised concerns about his workload. According to Redick, James has been feeling “gassed,” prompting discussions within the team about better managing his minutes in this, his 22nd NBA season. “For us, we have to be cognizant as we play more and more games, just the cumulative effect of playing a lot of minutes,” Redick explained. “Sunday, being banged up with the foot thing, it felt like a good opportunity for him to get some rest.”
Earlier this season, James voiced his ambition to participate in all 82 regular-season games. However, both he and the Lakers have since adopted a more pragmatic approach, recognizing the inevitability of minor injuries and the need for rest. Despite facing these challenges, James has delivered some remarkable performances, including six triple-doubles this season. At one point, he achieved four consecutive triple-doubles.
James is currently averaging 23.0 points per game, a figure that, while impressive, marks his lowest scoring average since his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers over two decades ago. Still, his contributions on the glass and as a playmaker remain strong. Averaging 8.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game, he continues to exceed his career averages in both categories. However, his three-point shooting has become inconsistent. After starting the season with a career-high 43.0% from beyond the arc over 15 games, his accuracy plummeted, hitting just four of 34 attempts in the next seven games.
Despite these shooting struggles, James demonstrated resilience in his most recent outing, scoring 29 points and sinking six of 11 three-point attempts. However, that performance was only the second time he surpassed 20 points in his last seven games.
The Lakers have faced their own challenges, posting a 3-7 record since their strong 10-4 start to the season. Redick remains optimistic about the team’s ability to address issues related to offensive consistency and defensive intensity. The head coach emphasized the importance of mental toughness during tough stretches, citing frequent discussions with James and fellow star Anthony Davis about maintaining focus and resilience.
“We’ve been talking about staying mentally strong and pushing through the tough times,” Redick said. “This team has the talent and the experience to overcome these obstacles.”
As the Lakers navigate this period of uncertainty, James’ health and availability will remain critical to their success. While his minutes may need to be carefully managed moving forward, his leadership and skill continue to make him an indispensable part of the team’s ambitions for the season.