LeBron James’ plan to play all 82 games of this NBA season may be quashed after the four-time MVP’s latest disappointing performance against the Timberwolves.
James, who will turn 40 this month, shot just 4-of-16 from the field, committed six turnovers and tallied a minus-28 plus-minus (the worst on the team) in the Lakers’ 109-80 loss on Monday.
And amid his struggles from the field – he’s made none of his last 19 three-point attempts across four games – head coach JJ Redick wondered aloud whether some rest might do the star good.
‘I don’t know that’s in the best interest of him and us if he does that, but if he’s feeling well and feeling good, then he should play,’ Redick said of James’ goal to play in every game, via ESPN.
‘But we obviously want to … manage that as best we can.’
LeBron James’ mileage has been showing of late, and he badly struggled against Minnesota
James went just 4-of-16 from the field and scored 10 points as his team got blown out
James himself was somewhat non-committal on suiting up for all 82 games.
‘That’s a goal, but, we’ll see,’ he said. ‘It’s something I ain’t discussing right now.’
James has achieved the feat just once in his career, during the 2017-18 season while he played for the Cavs.
In fact, he’s only even topped 70 games once in his six previous seasons with the Lakers (last year), as he’s frequently battled injuries while in LA.
James will likely pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most-ever regular season minutes this month (he’s just 114 behind), and the mileage on the Lakers star is beginning to show in his 22nd season.
His current field goal percentage of 48.2 would be his lowest over a full season since 2005-06, while the Lakers have been outscored by 111 points with him on the court.
Still, he’s averaging 22 points, 8.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game (third in the league) thus far.
His three-point shooting slump came amid a stretch of four games in six games, but a break in the Lakers schedule is coming later this month.
After facing the Blazers on December 8, LA will have 11 days off before playing the Kings on December 19.
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