Fri Dec 05 03:40:00 UTC 2025: News Article:
LeBron James Jokes About Foot Injury, Lakers Thrive Despite Absence
Los Angeles, CA – Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James downplayed a recent foot injury that sidelined him for a game, attributing it to the inevitable effects of aging. “It’s called old,” James quipped after Monday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns, adding, “You just wake up with s–t that you didn’t have the night before.”
James missed the Lakers’ victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, a game where Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves combined for 67 points. Despite James’ absence, the Lakers secured their seventh consecutive win.
Interestingly, this dynamic mirrors the Lakers’ early season success. James missed the first 14 games due to sciatica, but instead of faltering, the team thrived. Dončić and Reaves stepped up, leading the Lakers to a 10-4 record before James’ return.
Dončić is currently averaging impressive stats of 35.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 8.9 assists. Reaves is also having a breakout season, averaging 28.1 points and even dropping 51 in October. His performance is positioning him for a significant contract in free agency.
While James’ presence is undeniably crucial for the Lakers’ championship aspirations, the team’s performance in his absence suggests they are more resilient than in previous seasons. Managing James’ workload will be key to ensuring he’s at peak performance during the playoffs. While a major injury to James would be a concern, the Lakers’ early season performance shows they can withstand short absences without significantly impacting their overall success.
First Piper 