Why isn’t LeBron James playing against the Timberwolves today, December 13?

The LA Lakers will be without LeBron James for the trip to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, the second consecutive game that the veteran superstar will sit out.

James also missed the midweek victory over the Portland Trail Blazers due to a foot injury and that same issue keeps him out against the Timberwolves.

An NBA statement confirmed James' absence, adding that the 39-year-old was struggling with “left foot soreness, and the Lakers are expected to be overly cautious with their star forward amid any potential injury concerns he might have.”

The issue is not thought to be serious and James should be back in contention for the visit of the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday evening. He remains a key figure for the Lakers and is currently averaging 9.1 assists per game, the fourth-best figure in the league.

What did the Lakers say about LeBron James' fitness?

For all his talent, the physical toll of 22 seasons in the NBA is starting to catch up with LeBron James. He turns 40 later this month and, after playing in all of the Lakers' first 12 games, he is overdue a break.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday Lakers head coach J. J. Reddick admitted that they would have to be aware of James' limitations to maximise his impact across the season.

“In game, he’s asked for a sub a couple times because he’s gassed,” Redick revealed. “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.”

Even with James in the team the Lakers have struggled to build any real momentum so far this season, managing a mediocre 13-11 record across the first few months of 2024/25. The decision to appoint J. J. Reddick, a former player with no coaching experience, was questioned was he was announced in the summer and the new man has done little to convince that he is the person to lead the Lakers back to a championship.

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