For the first time since the 2024-2025 season opened, LeBron James missed a game of the Lakers and stayed on the bench and watched as his team fought for a chance at the NBA Cup without him inside the court. Sports commentator Skip Bayless offered his insight on the Lakers allowing LeBron to sit out a game and showed his appreciation for the timing of the break.
During their game against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Los Angeles Lakers had star LeBron James on the bench for the tenure game. This was the first time this season that LeBron did not play a game, in light of his previously stated goal of playing 82 games this season.
Skip saw this as fitting, and he appreciated how LerBron and the Lakers were not “crazy” for the NBA Cup this year.
“LeBron needed a break and he took one amid a light schedule, ahead of his 40th birthday,” Skip said in his post. “No Cup craziness this year. Lakers need this man relatively fresh for the postseason.”
LeBron needed a break and he took one amid a light schedule, ahead of his 40th birthday. No Cup craziness this year. Lakers need this man relatively fresh for the postseason.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 11, 2024
The official reason for LeBron sitting the game out, however, was due to left foot soreness.
Bron also missed the Wednesday practice of the Lakers, citing “personal” as the reason for it. Head coach JJ Redick is not yet sure whether LeBron and Austin Reeves will be able to play with them against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Anthony Davis Praises Team Amidst LeBron James Absence
With LeBron James absent during the Lakers’ games against the Trail Blazers, the team had to adapt to a play without Bron inside the court. Lakers star Anthony Davis, who’s been consistently praised for giving an MVP-level performance on a regular basis, praised his teammates for stepping up and filling the gap that LeBron left.
He was proud of those who stepped up but mentioned D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura, who contributed 28 and 23 points, respectively.
“I mean, next man up. I mean, that’s why we have a team,” Davis said. “Other guys had to step up. Rui stepped up. D’Lo stepped up. Guys have to step up when we have a guy like Bron out. Guys took on a challenge tonight, even though it was a last-minute scratch.”
“This is what guys prepared for. Guys got a chance to play a little bit more minutes than they probably would. They do what they were supposed to do to get their jobs. It was a team effort tonight.”
So far, LeBron James is averaging 23 points per game, eight rebounds, and 9.1 assists.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
