With LeBron James missing his second straight game Friday in Minnesota, Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick said he’s not sure when his 39-year-old superstar will return.
When Redick was asked during pregame Friday if he knew when James would be back with the team, the coach said “no.” The Lakers next play Sunday in Los Angeles against the Memphis Grizzlies.
James is officially listed as out due to left foot soreness, but Redick said at Wednesday’s practice that James had an excused absence due to “personal reasons.”
James aggravated his left foot in the Lakers’ 41-point loss to the Miami Heat on Dec. 4. He was listed as questionable for the Lakers’ next game, in Atlanta on Dec. 6, before being upgraded to probable pregame and eventually playing. However, James sat out the Lakers’ next game, at home against the Portland Trail Blazers, due to his left foot soreness.
The Lakers are on a rare break due to the NBA Cup schedule. They were off Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, with a practice Wednesday. James was not with the group on Tuesday during its voluntary get-what-you-need day or on Wednesday at practice.
James is averaging 23.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 9.1 assists and 4.1 turnovers in 35.0 minutes per game this season. He’s shooting 49.5 percent overall and 35.9 percent on 3-pointers. He has appeared in 23 of the Lakers’ 25 games.
James’ points (23.0), PER (21.2), Win Shares Per 48 Minutes (.095) and Box Plus-Minus (3.7) are the second-lowest of his career aside from his rookie season.
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(Photo of LeBron James: David Berding / Getty Images)