LeBron James has been officially ruled out of the Los Angeles Lakers’ match against the Minnesota Timberwolves. His absence has sparked questions among fans as they speculate about the reason behind his absence.
Here is why LeBron James isn’t going to play in the Lakers vs. Wolves game.
LeBron James expected to miss Lakers vs. Wolves game
As confirmed by the team, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James isn’t playing Friday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to left foot soreness. This marks James’ second consecutive absence, following his missed game on Sunday. It signals a cautious approach by the Lakers to manage his health and workload as he approaches his 40th birthday later this month.
Head coach JJ Redick emphasized the importance of giving James time to rest and recover. The team plays only two games between December 9 and December 18, allowing James to rest physically. Redick noted that James has occasionally asked for substitutions mid-game, citing fatigue. This has influenced the decision to rest him further. The coach said, “In game, he’s asked for a sub a couple times because he’s gassed. 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.” (via ESPN)
James, who is averaging 23 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.0 rebounds per game this season, is expected to return on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies. If he does, he will have had eight days to rest and prepare for the match. In addition to physical recovery, James also missed team practice earlier in the week due to personal matters.
In other team updates, guard Austin Reaves remains questionable for Friday’s game. He has been sidelined for five games with a left pelvic contusion,
