LeBron recently returned from an excused absence

Lapresse

As the NBA season approaches its halfway mark, the Los Angeles Lakers might be starting to round back into form — although questions remain over the future of their best player, basketball legend LeBron James.

James recently missed two games through an “excused absence” before he sat out Saturday’s win over the Sacramento Kings with an illness. Though the Lakers, at 18-13, now own the fifth seed in the Western Conference, Los Angeles simply isn’t the same without The King, and head coach J.J. Redick knows it.

Redick reveals level of concern around LeBron

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, after the Lakers defeated the Kings 132-122 the night before, Redick revealed his own King’s status moving forward — and it appears James could be ready to face his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers on New Year’s Eve.

“No concern, he’s just a little bit under the weather,” Redick told the media

Even with his 40th 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day mere hours away, James has continued to impress in his 22nd NBA season as the Lakers chase a third consecutive playoff berth. Saturday’s game was only the third James has missed this season; he continues to average 35 minutes per night while averaging 23.5 points, nine assists, and nearly eight rebounds per game. His eight triple-doubles this season are more than he recorded in the previous two years combined — and he began 2024/25 by sharing the court with his son Bronny, fulfilling one of his final stated NBA goals.

But James is also shooting his worst percentage from the field since 2019/20, and his points-per-game average is the lowest he’s averaged since his rookie season in 2003/04. Perhaps Father Time is calling…or perhaps LeBron is saving his best for last, as he pursues a fifth championship — however unlikely.