I don't take for granted the LeBron stuff. It's unfortunate actually - not to go on a little tangent here - but it's actually unfortunate how much this guy puts into it and how much he cares and the way certain people talk about him. It's crazy. Come be around him every day and see how much this guy cares. It's off the charts.
Super cool. Super surreal. Super humbled, blessed. I walked in here and saw it for the first time. It was like an emotional moment as well. Just think about the journey thus far and have an opportunity to be here where it kind of all started obviously, but in this city. And it's been a heck of a journey and people have followed my career and my fans have followed my career to get an opportunity to be a part of it.
LeBron James will miss the game against the San Antonio Spurs with right sciatica and left foot arthritis, the Lakers announced Wednesday. James has starred for the Lakers (23-11) during their three-game winning streak, averaging 29 points in victories against the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans. He's paired effortlessly with Luka Doncic as the duo scored 30 points each in Tuesday's win over the Pelicans.
It is remarkable I have trouble getting out of bed in the morning and got to get an injection on my knee, Redick said after Monday afternoon's practice. My body is old and broken. It's like that [maxim]: If you don't use it, you lose it. Redick, who played in the NBA for 15 seasons, retired after the 2020-21 season, spending the first three years of his post-playing career as a broadcaster/podcaster before becoming the Lakers' head coach in June 2024. And once I stopped using it, I lost it all, Redick said. I can still barely touch the rim though, which is nice.
"I always loved, and still love obviously, shooting him," Butler told ESPN. "He's always engaged. Some guys are only engaged when they have the ball. But if he's in the corner, if he has the ball, if he's on the bench, he's engaged in the game and you just kind of gravitate toward that. I think he also is one of those superstars that understands the moment."
James's run of 1,297 consecutive double-digit regular-season scoring efforts ended Thursday night, when the NBA's career points leader was held to eight points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 123-120 win over the Toronto Raptors. He had the game-winning assist, setting up Rui Hachimura's three-pointer as time expired. Afterward, he was asked what thoughts he had about the streak ending. None, James said. We won.
"It is an injury he's had in the past," head coach JJ Redick said pregame. "It's something we've had to manage in the past. "Given the back-to-back and the fact that he's basically just coming off his training camp - this has been his training camp over the last 10 days or so - just being cautious."
"It was pretty crazy, man. Like, I mean, that's the GOAT. To be able to share the court with him was special, especially being a G League team. That's so outside the normal of everything," Timme told ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I think it just shows how connected the two programs are, and it's super cool. He came down, and it was our job to help him get back to game speed, so we were just glad to help."
James, standing on the right side of the court by the Crypto.com Arena logo, passed the ball to Luka Doncic, who was positioned on the perimeter to his left. Once James released the ball, Austin Reaves sprung up from the paint to the 3-point line to set a back screen on Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, who was guarding the Lakers star. The action freed James to advance toward the basket
A source present for Wednesday's practice told ESPN the workout was "intense" as James prepares to become the first player in NBA history to suit up for a 23rd season. In Thursday's practice, run by South Bay coach Zach Guthrie, James was a full participant once again, sources said, and was able to complete the five-on-five live portion without any lingering pain or soreness in his lower back or right side.
LeBron James' 23rd NBA season is off to a precarious start as he will miss a regular-season opener for the first time because of a sciatic nerve injury. The soon-to-be 41-year-old still commands the attention of the league, but how much of that focus will be about his on-court exploits this season instead of retirement chatter? James was already nursing a knee injury in the playoffs last season.
