lakers to Navigate Early Season Without LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers will begin their 2024-2025 regular season on October 21st against the Golden State Warriors without LeBron James in the lineup. James is currently sidelined due to a lower-body nerve injury sustained during preseason training, marking the start of his unprecedented 23rd NBA season.
The Lakers have completed six full practices without their all-time leading scorer, and he also missed the team’s first two preseason games as he continues his recovery. The team faces a demanding early schedule, with eight games crammed into a 13-day period beginning October 24th.
Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged the challenge of integrating new players, particularly center Deandre Ayton, without James’ on-court presence. “You have to know how to play with the cards you are dealt,” Redick stated.”It’s a shame, but it’s reality… Nobody has time with LeBron.”
The team had hoped to utilize the training camp to build chemistry with both James and recently acquired Luka Doncic, who joined the Lakers mid-season last year and had limited practice time with his new team. Though, the Lakers are currently focusing on implementing their offense and fostering on-court cohesion largely without James, and have also had limited opportunities to practice with Doncic, who recently participated in EuroBasket.
Doncic has been participating in full workouts, including scrimmages, while Ayton expressed a desire for more practice time with both James and Doncic to develop chemistry.
James has been traveling with the team on preseason trips, focusing on individual drills and workouts. He recently generated social media buzz with a post hinting at “The Second Decision,” which ultimately proved to be an advertisement for a cognac brand. James has previously stated he remains undecided about retirement, indicating the end of his career is “sooner rather then later.”
While Redick had hoped for at least one ”dress rehearsal” preseason game with both James and Doncic,that will not occur. He still anticipates doncic will see action in at least one of the Lakers’ four remaining preseason games, including two scheduled in Los Angeles. The lakers return to the court on Sunday for a preseason game against Golden State.