As the Lakers look to get their season back on track, superstar LeBron James will seemingly be in and out of the lineup.
Entering the year, James set a personal goal to play in all 82 of LA’s regular-season games. A recent slump caused James and the Lakers brass to reconsider the goal and an aggravated foot injury resulted in his first absence of the season coming on Sunday, Dec. 8.
Because of the NBA Cup, LA got an extended break before its next game — a visit to the Timberwolves on Friday, Dec. 13. Will James be in action after the long layoff?
Here is everything to know about his status for Friday’s game.
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Where is LeBron James?
The official injury report for Friday’s game has not been released but James is “unlikely to play,” per a Thursday report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
On Sunday, James missed LA’s win over Portland with “left foot soreness.” James was excused from the team’s practice Wednesday for undisclosed personal reasons, per head coach JJ Redick.
If James is not in action Friday, his next opportunity to hit the floor will come Sunday when the Lakers host the Grizzlies.
Despite a few off nights, James is averaging 23.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists through 23 games this season. The Lakers, however, have lost seven of their last 10 games after a 10-4 start to the season.
James will turn 40 on Dec. 30.
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Lakers schedule 2024-25
Here are the next five games on the Lakers’ schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Dec. 13 | at Timberwolves | 8 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 15 | vs. Grizzlies | 9:30 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 19 | at Kings | 10 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 21 | at Kings | 6 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 23 | vs. Pistons | 10:30 p.m. | — |
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