Lakers’ star skips morning session as the team faces a critical preseason back-to-back
As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for a preseason showdown with the Phoenix Suns, one notable absence at the morning shootaround has raised questions. LeBron James, the team’s cornerstone player, did not participate, sparking speculation about whether this is a move for rest or a sign of deeper concerns.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin was quick to report the development, stating, “LeBron James did not participate in shootaround this morning, per the Lakers,” in a tweet shared on X (formerly Twitter). With no official word of an injury, many believe this absence is precautionary, especially considering the Lakers have another preseason game lined up against the Golden State Warriors the following day.
Rest or Monitoring? LeBron’s Minutes Under Scrutiny
For a player entering his 22nd season, it’s not uncommon for teams to manage minutes and workloads, especially in back-to-back games. LeBron, now 39 years old, may be under even tighter monitoring to ensure he’s in top shape for the long grind of the regular season.
The Lakers have yet to confirm the exact reasoning behind James missing the shootaround. However, based on last season’s experience, we know LeBron isn’t always keen on resting or being put under minutes restrictions. In fact, during Netflix’s Starting 5, an open mic caught LeBron expressing his frustration with such restrictions during their season opener against the Denver Nuggets.
“I know y’all got me on f—–g old man time percentages and s–t…two shots in eight minutes is just getting cardio. I hate this s–t already. This s–t’s garbage,” LeBron vented. His sentiments made it clear that despite his age, he still feels capable of playing big minutes and contributing at a high level.
Pushing for Success in Season 22
As LeBron embarks on his 22nd NBA season, one might expect him to slow down. However, the four-time MVP shows no signs of relenting. Last season, James averaged 35.3 minutes per game, ranking him 17th in the league, a staggering figure for a player in his late thirties. The high workload speaks to the level at which LeBron continues to perform—challenging the boundaries of what’s physically expected of an aging star.
One of the unique motivations fueling him this season could be his son, Bronny James. Playing with his son is a dream that LeBron has long held, and he expressed the emotional significance of this potential milestone after the Lakers’ second preseason game.
“For a father, it means everything. For someone who didn’t have that growing up, to be able to have that influence on your kids and have that influence on your son, be able to have moments with your son — and the ultimate, to be able to work with your son — that’s one of the greatest things that a father could ever hope for or wish for,” LeBron said.
Eyes on the Championship
Beyond personal milestones, the overarching goal for LeBron and the Lakers remains the same: win. After falling short of a title since their 2020 Championship run, the team is eager to return to glory, and LeBron will undoubtedly be the driving