JJ Redick: LeBron James missed practice due to excused absence, status unclear for Friday vs. Timberwolves
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JJ Redick: LeBron James missed practice due to excused absence, status unclear for Friday vs. Timberwolves

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

Amid an extended break for teams that fell short in the NBA Cup, LeBron James is taking “some time” from Lakers practice, head coach JJ Redick said.

Redick told reporters Wednesday that James missed Wednesday’s practice for “personal reasons” and that his absence was excused. Further details about why James missed training are unclear.

The Lakers, like the rest of the NBA that didn’t make it to the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup, have a few days off this week. They last played on Sunday with a 107-98 win against the Portland Trail Blazers. They next play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

James missed Sunday’s game against Portland because of soreness in his left foot. The absence was his first in 24 Lakers games this season. His status for Friday’s game against Minnesota is unclear.

Redick said before Sunday’s Trail Blazers game that James’ time off this week “could be really good for him.” After the game, he encouraged all of the Lakers’ players to make the most of the extended break at the start of the season.

“Hell, if someone wants to spend a few nights in Santa Barbara and relax, that’s fine too,” Redick said, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “It’s a quarter of the season.”

Failing in the NBA Cup elimination round certainly has its advantages.

James turns 40 on December 30th. He and the Lakers have stumbled of late, and some rest could be attractive to both sides. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)James turns 40 on December 30th. He and the Lakers have stumbled of late, and some rest could be attractive to both sides. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

LeBron James turns 40 on December 30th. He and the Lakers have stumbled of late, and some rest could be attractive to both sides. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

James turns 40 on December 30th. He averaged 23 points, 9.1 assists and eight rebounds per game this season and remains one of the league’s most dominant forces. He also showed signs of wear and tear, including a 10-point outburst in a loss to the Timberwolves on Dec. 2 that threatened to end a streak of 1,242 consecutive games with double-digit points.

The Lakers (13-11) also stumbled into the NBA Cup break with seven losses in 10 games, including a 134-93 loss to the Heat on Dec. 4. If there are opportunities for James to take a step back within the confines of NBA rules, it makes sense for him and the Lakers to take advantage.

“He was asked to come on a couple of times in the game because he was gassed,” Redick said, according to McMenamin. “For us, we have to be clear as we play more and more games, just the cumulative effect that playing a lot of minutes brings, and on Sunday it felt like it was a good opportunity for him to get some rest, because his foot was hit.”

Whether James will be back for Friday’s game and beyond remains to be seen. His status — and the Lakers’ reasoning if he misses more time — will be worth watching.

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