Lakers’ LeBron James ruled out for Friday vs. Timberwolves

Veteran LeBron James has been ruled out of the Friday match against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Los Angeles Lakers have confirmed. James will not travel with the team on their flight.

Meanwhile, James missed Sunday’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to left foot soreness, which was his first absence in the ongoing season. The team’s head coach JJ Redick revealed Wednesday that James didn’t practice with the team due to personal reasons, casting doubt on his participation in the Friday match.

If James returns for the Sunday game against the Memphis Grizzlies, he will receive an eight-day gap to recharge his batteries. 

The Lakers have been guile in managing the 39-year-old veteran’s workload, who is all set to turn 40 at the end of the year.

James is averaging 23 points on 49.5% shooting (35.9% from 3), 9.1 assists and 8.0 rebounds in the ongoing season and he will look to keep up the good show once he returns to action.

“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.”

Furthermore, Lakers’ guard Austin Reaves is doubtful for Friday’s game with a left pelvic contusion that has kept him out in the last five games.

The Lakers are currently 13-11 in the ongoing season and they are in eighth place in the Western Conference standings.