LOS ANGELES - Lakers star LeBron James will miss Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the third consecutive game he will miss after collapsing during last week's game in Denver.
"He probably still needs a couple more days," Lakers coach JJ Redick said. "It's still day-by-day."
That leaves it uncertain whether James will return on Thursday against the Chicago Bulls or on Saturday against the Denver Nuggets. James completed pre-game warmups ahead of Sunday's win over the New York Knicks and Wednesday's matchup against Minnesota. But the Lakers currently report the 41-year-old James is suffering from a right hip injury and left foot arthritis. Redick said James suffered a hip injury after a fall in Denver last Thursday, the same game in which he also suffered a left elbow injury.
“He's trying to move forward,” Redick said. "He wants to be there. We want the same. Hopefully he'll be back soon."
The Lakers (39-25) are fifth in the Western Conference and a game behind Minnesota (40-24) and the Houston Rockets (40-24). The Lakers are 2-0 against Minnesota and lost to the Rockets on Christmas Day. The Lakers will face the Rockets in a two-game trip on March 16 and March 18.
The Lakers are 9-2 in games with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves without James amid various injuries. But the Lakers have rejected any suggestion that the Lakers are better off without James. He missed all of training camp and the first 14 games while nursing right sciatica. Following the Lakers' loss to Houston on Christmas, Reaves missed 19 consecutive games with a left calf strain. Nonetheless, the Lakers have gone 11-7 with Doncic, James and Reaves.
“We're starting to get it,” Reddick said. "There's a clear pecking order when Luka and AR are on the floor with guys who are low-usage players. That's the nature of it. That's the nature of every Big 3 that has ever existed. We're going to get there. I think we've seen some positive signs. I think LeBron recognizes the importance of keeping Luka as an engine. He really wants to have an impact on wins. We're going to get there."
Mark Medina is an NBA contributor for SportsNut. follow him x, blue sky, Instagram, Facebook And threads.
