Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

3 hours ago

Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort.

6 hours ago

Ukraine Voices Concern as US Halts Some Missile Shipments

7 hours ago

Poll: Most Americans Say National Divide, Political Violence Threaten Democracy

7 hours ago

Paramount Settles With Trump Over ‘60 Minutes’ Interview for $16 Million

7 hours ago

Republicans Tee up House Vote on Trump Bill, Outcome Uncertain

7 hours ago

What’s Next for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs After His Sex Trafficking Trial?

7 hours ago

Dalai Lama Says He Will Be Reincarnated, Trust Will Identify Successor

8 hours ago
LeBron James Returns to Score 18 in Lakers' Win Over Grizzlies
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 7 months ago on
December 16, 2024

James is fighting a left foot injury and was away from the team most of last week because of personal reasons. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James returned to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night in a 116-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies after a two-game break.

James is fighting a left foot injury and was away from the team most of last week because of personal reasons.

James did not play last Sunday against Portland or Friday night at Minnesota. The Lakers announced about 45 minutes before tip-off against Memphis that James’ status had been upgraded from questionable to available.

James had 18 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and five turnovers in 34 minutes.

“I felt pretty good,” James said. “It’s very rare throughout the course of the season where you can take advantage of the schedule, and I was able to do that the past week.”

Lakers Coach Discusses James’ Absence

The Lakers described James’ time away as an excused absence while noting that he’s also been managing some left foot pain. Lakers coach JJ Redick revealed before the game with Memphis that he and the four-time NBA MVP met on the day of the Portland game to discuss his plan for a break.

“When I talked to him earlier this week, I think I said something along those lines, just hoping that he was getting a good mind and body reset,” Redick said in his pregame availability Sunday. “He said he felt like he was.”

James is the NBA’s oldest player and turns 40 on Dec. 30. Including playoffs, no player in league history has appeared in more games or played more minutes than James — who is in his 22nd season, tying Vince Carter for the NBA record.

James Explains Decision to Take Time Off

“I felt my foot, felt my body. … I did my pregame workout on that Sunday for the Portland game and decided it was probably best if I took that day off,” James said. “I had the opportunity to take more days and get my mind, body and just everything where I wanted to be for tonight, and it worked out.”

Redick indicated that he could appreciate if James felt the need for a few days off.

“I played 15 (years) and was emotionally, mentally, physically drained, fried,” Redick said. “I put everything I had into this game. I had nothing left. For guys like him and (Chris Paul), the Tom Brady’s of the world, the Roger Federer’s of the world, it’s hard to comprehend having that level of sustained excellence for so long because of the toll that it takes on all of you, not just your body.”

James’ Focus During Break

James said he spent most of his time away rehabbing his foot and training to stay in game shape.

“It was a very easy decision for myself and for the team and for my trainer to be able to take advantage of those days, just for everything,” James said. “It was great.”

James is averaging 23 points, 9.1 assists and eight rebounds this season. He also has seven triple-doubles, second-most in the NBA behind Denver’s Nikola Jokic.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

DON'T MISS

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

DON'T MISS

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

DON'T MISS

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

DON'T MISS

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

DON'T MISS

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

DON'T MISS

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

DON'T MISS

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

DON'T MISS

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

DON'T MISS

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

UP NEXT

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

UP NEXT

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

UP NEXT

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

UP NEXT

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

UP NEXT

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

UP NEXT

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

UP NEXT

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

UP NEXT

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

UP NEXT

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

UP NEXT

US Judge Blocks Trump Asylum Ban at US-Mexico Border, Says He Exceeded Authority

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

1 hour ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

1 hour ago

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

2 hours ago

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

2 hours ago

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

2 hours ago

Poorest Americans Dealt Biggest Blow Under Senate Republican Tax Package

3 hours ago

Check Out Newest Downtown Mural. It’s a Spectacular Tribute to Fresno Artisans

4 hours ago

US Judge Blocks Trump Asylum Ban at US-Mexico Border, Says He Exceeded Authority

4 hours ago

Fresno Fire Investigators Seek Public’s Help in Arson Case

5 hours ago

CHP Officer Dies in Line of Duty After Medical Emergency While on Patrol

5 hours ago

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

A Madera County Sheriff’s deputy was injured Tuesday during a violent encounter with a wanted felon near the Fresno River, the Madera County...

24 minutes ago

On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, a Madera County sheriff’s deputy was injured while trying to arrest a wanted felon, Felix Adrian Nucamendi Carrasco, 40, who later fled and was captured near Raymond Road. (Madera County SO)
24 minutes ago

Madera County Deputy Injured, Wanted Felon Arrested After Violent Struggle

A wildfire dubbed the Madre Fire has burned over 3,300 acres near New Cuyama with 0% containment, officials said Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (CalFire)
27 minutes ago

San Luis Obispo County Wildfire Burns More Than 3,000 Acres. No Containment Yet

45 minutes ago

Wired Wednesday: Why Is State Lawmaker Taking Aim at Rooftop Solar?

Jose Luna (left), 33, and Ralph Grajeda, 45, both of Visalia, have been sentenced for their roles in the 2020 shotgun killing of Robert Soto at a local motel. (Tulare County DA)
1 hour ago

Two Visalia Men Sentenced in 2021 Motel Killing

A U.S. Justice Department logo or seal showing Justice Department headquarters, known as "Main Justice," is seen behind the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. (Reuters File)
1 hour ago

Ex-Jan. 6 Defendant Gets Life in Prison for Plot to Kill FBI Agents

2 hours ago

Del Monte Files for Bankruptcy. Gets Nearly $1B to Keep Producing Through Process

2 hours ago

Who is Running for Fresno Area Offices in 2026? An Updated Look

CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) logo and U.S. flag are seen in this illustration taken May 6, 2025. (Reuters File)
2 hours ago

CIA Review Finds Flaws but Does Not Dispute Finding Putin Sought to Sway 2016 Vote to Trump

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend