Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is taking a leave of absence for “personal reasons” and will miss Friday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
ESPN reported that James was absent from the team’s flight, giving him eight days between games if he returns for Sunday’s matchup against the Memphis Grizzles. He missed Sunday’s game against the Portland Trailblazers due to foot soreness. It’s the first game he missed this season.
James gains extra rest amid flexible Lakers schedule
The Lakers will have a flexible schedule from Dec. 9-18 due to several teams competing in the NBA Cup, giving James more time to rest his body before returning to the active roster, per ESPN.
‘He’s out for personal reasons‘
Head coach JJ Redick gave the team Monday off and an optional “get what you need” day on Tuesday. They reconvened for Wednesday’s practice, but ESPN reported James was absent.
“LeBron is not with the team right now,” Redick said after practice. “He’s out for personal reasons, excused absence.”
Redick added that James was “taking some time” but did not disclose details about his absence.
He also said he constantly communicates with James and his longtime athletic trainer, Mike Mancias, about the four-time NBA champion’s workload as he turns 40 at the end of December.
Redick says ‘rest’ is good for LeBron right now
“In game, he’s asked for a sub a couple times because he’s gassed,” Redick said, per ESPN. “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.”
Time management and restrictions are issues James has consistently pushed back against, especially as a 22-year veteran.
“I know you got me on f**king old man time percentages and s**t,” James reportedly told Lakers assistant coaches early last season when they tried to limit his minutes in the game, according to CBS Sports. “Play eight minutes and s**t. Two shots in eight minutes, just getting cardio. I hate this s**t already, this s**t’s garbage.”
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