LeBron James Not With Lakers For ‘Personal Reasons’

The leading scorer in NBA history is not with the Los Angeles Lakers right now. 

LeBron James has been excused from the Lakers for personal reasons. 

“LeBron is not with the team right now,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “He’s out for personal reasons, excused absence.”

LeBron, 39, is the oldest player in the NBA. He turns 40 on December 30. 

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

The Lakers are 13-11 on the season. LeBron is averaging 23.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 49.5% from the field, 35.9% from beyond the arc and 76.2% from the free-throw line. 

It’s unknown if LeBron will play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. The Lakers are only 3-7 over their last 10 games. 

LeBron has career averages of 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Lakers. He’s a four-time MVP, a four-time champion and a four-time Finals MVP.

LeBron, who grew up idolizing Michael Jordan, is first in NBA history in points, fourth in assists, eighth in steals, second in field goals, seventh in 3-point field goals, fifth in triple-doubles, seventh in points per game and third in player efficiency rating.

LeBron is the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists, the only player to win three Finals MVPs with three different teams, the only player with 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists and the only player to score 40,000 points.