James is out on a day-to-day basis, but the Lakers coach noted that the superstar might still need a few more days to fully recover.
LeBron James isn't playing for the Los Angeles Lakers' Tuesday clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This would mark his third consecutive absence for the Lakers, as he continues to nurse his lingering right hip contusion and left foot arthritis.
Los Angeles Lakers / Schedule
In his pregame speech, head coach JJ Redick told reporters that James went through his usual pregame warmup, but it was then decided that he would not join the team's home game.
James is currently being classified as out on a day-to-day basis, but Redick noted that his recovery could still require more days.
“He did his on-court shooting before our film and walkthrough, and probably just needs a couple more days,” Redick said of James.
“So, still day-to-day. Sometimes day-to-day means two days. Sometimes it can mean. ... five or six days. But he’s day-to-day.”
James is averaging 21.4 points in 50.4 percent shooting with 7.0 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals. He appeared in 44 games so far this season.
Despite James' absence in the last two games, the Lakers (39-25) still persevered behind the leadership of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Yet, Redick reiterated that they still need the 41-year-old superstar to be fully recovered.
“We obviously want him in the lineup,” Redick said. “When we were kind of approaching this stretch and you see the six days in eight nights and two back-to-backs last week, you never know how his body is gonna respond to a game and how his foot’s gonna respond. So it’s not to say I expected him to miss a game. It’s just, it wouldn’t have surprised me if he needed a day or two to get his body right.
"The fact that he had the falls in Denver, he’s trying to ramp up. He wants to be out there and so do we and hopefully he’s back soon.”
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