The Los Angeles Lakers announced LeBron James is available for Sunday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies after sitting out two games for personal reasons.
James didn’t play last Sunday against Portland or Friday at Minnesota. The Lakers announced about 45 minutes before the game against Memphis that James’ status had been changed from questionable to available.
The Lakers described James’ absence as an excused absence, while noting that he was also dealing with pain in his left foot. Lakers coach JJ Redick revealed before the game against Memphis that he and the four-time NBA MVP met on game day in Portland to discuss the offseason plan.
“When I talked to him earlier this week, I think I said something along those lines, just hoping he was able to reset his mind and body,” Redick said in Sunday’s pregame availability statement. “He said he felt that way.”
James is the oldest NBA player and turns 40 on December 30. Including the playoffs, no player in league history has appeared in more games or played more minutes than James, who is in his 22nd season in the NBA, tying the NBA record with Vince Carter.
Redick indicated that he would appreciate it if James felt the need to take a few days off.
“I played 15 (years) and I was emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted, fried,” Redick said. “I put everything I had into this game. I have nothing left. For guys like him and (Chris Paul), Tom Brady and Roger Federer, it’s hard to understand that you can have such a high level of continuous excellence for so long because of the toll it takes on all of you, not just your body.
James entered Sunday averaging 23 points, 9.1 assists and eight rebounds per game this season. He also has seven triple-doubles, which puts him second in the NBA behind Denver’s Nikola Jokic.
Associated Press reports.
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LeBron James
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