Yahoo Sports LeBron James unlikely to play on Friday vs. Timberwolves
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is unlikely to play Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources told ESPN. It would give James, who missed Sunday's game with foot soreness, eight days in between games if he returns Sunday against Memphis. Because of the NBA Cup, the Lakers are able to take a prudent approach with the schedule to allow James to recalibrate and recharge his body.
Source: ESPN
What's the buzz on Twitter?
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James out vs. Wolves sportando.basketball/en/los-angeles… - 10:54 AM
ESPN story with @mcten: Lakers star LeBron James is unlikely to play Friday versus Timberwolves. It would give James, who missed a Dec. 8 contest with foot soreness, eight days in between games if he returns Sunday against Memphis.
espn.com/nba/story/_/id… - 10:41 AM
LeBron James missed the Los Angeles Lakers’ practice due to personal reasons sportando.basketball/en/lebron-jame… - 3:11 AM
Las Vegas Final Four, 2023 to 2024
Bucks ➡️ Bucks
Pacers ➡️ Hawks
Lakers ➡️ Thunder
Pelicans ➡️ Rockets
So people are basically complaining about going from LeBron's team to Shai's team if you're gonna do the ratings talk.
And Shai's team is pretty damn good. But I digress lol - 12:37 AM
Quite the day for people named LeBron James in LA. The older one is away from the team and Bronny is playing at least one G League road game now — and likely more @TheAthleticNBA nytimes.com/athletic/59880… - 6:21 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
For the sickos who like to watch, Wednesday's @LockedOnLakers pod, on YouTube. We talked with @AnthonyIrwinLA about whether it makes more sense for the Lakers to go all in, or blow it up and trade LeBron and/or AD. @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods
youtu.be/oDeetobAKrY - 5:44 PM
New story: LeBron James was not with the team Wednesday for personal reasons, according to Lakers coach JJ Redick. “He’s taking some time,” said Redick, who described it as an excused absence for James. es.pn/41vB21V - 4:33 PM
JJ Redick said the Lakers had a productive practice, and got a lot done defensively.
Austin Reaves didn’t participate fully, but is trending in a positive direction. He’s day-to-day.
LeBron (personal) was excused from practice today. He’s day-to-day as well (foot). - 2:46 PM
JJ Redick says LeBron James and Austin Reaves are both considered day to day.
Reaves participated in most of today's practice. - 2:46 PM
JJ Redick says LeBron James was not with the team Wednesday, for an excused absence. Austin Reaves participated in most of practice. Both James and Reaves are still TBD for Friday’s game in Minnesota. - 2:45 PM
Lakers coach JJ Redick says LeBron James isn't with the team with right now because of personal reasons. - 2:44 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Wednesday's @LockedOnLakers podcast! @AnthonyIrwinLA drops by to discuss what's become a big talking point: Is this roster worth an "all-in" move? Or is the move to trade LeBron and/or AD? @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/are… - 12:26 PM
Between you and me: This time of year drives me mad because I have no love or use for fanciful trade speculation. LeBron isn't heading to the Warriors. Houston shouldn't blow up a great young core to win yesterday. Be patient. It's old man get off my lawn stuff, but I don't care - 12:12 PM
More on this storyline
On the season, James is averaging 23 points on 49.5% shooting (35.9% from 3), 9.1 assists and 8.0 rebounds. Redick said he is in constant communication with both James and his longtime athletic trainer, Mike Mancias, about managing the four-time MVP's workload as he nears his 40th birthday at the end of the month. "In game, he's asked for a sub a couple times because he's gassed," Redick said Wednesday. "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 / December 12, 2024
The coach also said James wanted to go to bat for him in order to help him get the deal he wanted. "He did, and he called me twice," Lue said of James. "He called me, 'What do I gotta do? You want this?' I said, 'No, I want them to respect me. I don't want to have to go to you to get my deal done. If they don't respect me like I should be respected, then it's okay.' He wasn't pissed off, he wasn't mad about it, but him and Rich Paul both stepped up and said, 'What are we gotta do to get it done?' I didn't like the way it was handled." "Give Bron credit," Lue stated. "Him and Rich Paul both stepped up. Numerous amount of phone calls to try to get it done. Once it came to me in that regard, I was just like, 'You know what? I'm just gonna sit out and wait for another opportunity." -via USAToday.com / December 12, 2024
Tyronn Lue: I think, like you said, the perception of where I came from with LeBron being on our team. You automatically think, ‘Oh, LeBron James did everything,’ which he did a lot. But I don’t think they had the same respect for me as I felt they should have. Now, they offered me the job on a three-year deal, but they wanted to pick my coaching staff, and I just wasn’t going to do that. For me, being a championship coach, to take a three-year deal when everyone else is getting five-year deals and more money—and then you want to pick my staff as well—I just thought that was a slap in the face. As a young Black head coach, I thought it would set a bad example for other guys coming up after me. -via YouTube / December 12, 2024
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: LeBron James unlikely to play on Friday vs. Timberwolves
