Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James will miss the team for “personal reasons,” head coach JJ Redick said Thursday.
Reddick called it an “excused absence.” Like James's case Friday's up in the air — he was already dealing with a foot injury and missed Wednesday's game, his first of the year.
He turns 40 later this month, and it looks like Father Time may be creeping up on the NBA's all-time leading scorers.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz on December 1, 2024 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Jimmy Sabaugh/NBAE via Getty Images)
In fact, Redick admitted that James felt “gassed” and that the team felt they were mismanaging his minutes in his 22nd season. Redick also said James asked to be ruled out for two games for some time off.
“For us, we have to be aware as we play more and more games, just the cumulative effect of playing a lot of minutes and on Sunday, he had a knock on his foot, it seemed like a good opportunity for him to get some rest,” Redick said.
James expressed his desire earlier this season to play in all 82 games, but he and the Lakers are now practicing virtually with the inevitable minor injuries that arise during any season.
While he has already had six triple-doubles this season — including four straight at one point — his 23.0 points per game are the lowest he has scored since his rookie season, more than 20 years ago with Cleveland Cavaliers.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gestures to a teammate during the first half against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. (Photos by John E. Sokolowski-Imagine)
UFC Star Colby Covington Attacks LeBron James Over Old 'Diddy Party' Comment: 'F—ING SCUMBAG'
James looks like his old self on the glass and passes. He averages 8.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game, both during his career. However, his three-point shooting has declined.
In 15 games, he made 43.0% three-pointers, the best percentage of his career. But in his next seven matches, he scored just four goals out of 34 and gave up 20 in a row. He went 6-for-11 from deep in his last game, giving up 29 points, but that was only the second time he topped 20 points in the last seven games.
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James celebrates a 3-pointer against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Toronto on Friday, November 1, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Lakers are 3-7 since starting the season at 10-4, but Redick remains confident they can solve the issues that have plagued them recently in offensive consistency and defensive intensity. Redick also said he talked a lot with James and Anthony Davis about the Lakers' ability to stay mentally strong during bad breaks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
