Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will not play in the game against Minnesota Timberwolves this Friday.
The bench had the NBA’s all-time leading scorer excused this week, which has been absent for some personal reasons as the coach, JJ Redick, indicated earlier on Wednesday. He may well be there just for the day in Minnesota to hurriedly return to the team in time for their next game at home against Memphis this Sunday.
The Lakers secured a home victory against Portland on Sunday, showcasing their strength even in the absence of James, who is set to begin his 22nd season in the NBA. He sat out for what has become a foot injury that he is nursing currently.
James has played in all 23 games this season as the steady dependable player the Lakers have always known and coming into his 22nd season in the NBA and his seventh with the team, bringing along much experience to be able to bring on the court.
James has been playing outstanding, shooting at 49.5% rates, scoring an average of 23 points per game, shooting 35.9% beyond the arc, with some rebounding and playmaking responsibilities on top of that, coming out with an average of 8.0 boards and 9.1 assists. They’re still updating each other pretty regularly, which is partly because Redick edges his way into his 40s at the end of this month, and therefore can ensure that things flow smoothly for what both James and veteran sports trainer Mike Mancias intend.
Redick further on said that there has always been a necessity for keeping track of and addressing fatigue, and how that will play into the situation like in this case where a player requested to be benched for being tired. The injuries such as his foot infirmity are those types which can be overstressed so that they are rather strong in the way they handicap a player’s performance which is a good time for that player to be rested.
The Lakers list Austin Reaves as questionable for tonight’s game against Minnesota since he hadn’t played the past five and was listed with a bruised pelvic area. Anthony Davis had been battling left plantar fasciitis and was listed as probable.
