JJ Redick: LeBron James' Timeline for Return to Lakers Uncertain amid Absence

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James' timeline to return is uncertain after he was excused from the team for personal reasons.

Lakers beat reporter Khobi Price of the Southern California News Group relayed head coach JJ Redick's remark on the matter Friday.

Redick previously revealed to reporters after Wednesday's practice that James was excused for personal reasons.

"LeBron is not with the team right now," Redick said, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "He's out for personal reasons, excused absence."

The 39-year-old James is averaging 23.0 points, 9.1 assists and 8.0 rebounds in his 22nd NBA season.

James' last game was on Dec. 6, when he posted a 39-point, 11-rebound and 10-assist triple-double in a 134-132 road loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He then missed his team's 107-98 home win against the Portland Trail Blazers last Sunday with left foot soreness, per the injury report. That is also the listed reason for his absence against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. He had played all 23 of the Lakers' games before missing the Blazers contest.

James, who turns 40 on Dec. 30, is a four-time MVP and four-time NBA champion who's made 20 All-NBA teams and won three Olympic gold medals. Despite playing a few years into his third professional decade, James is still excelling on the court.

For now, though, James is out for an undetermined amount of time. Anthony Davis should be picking up more of the usage slack in his absence. On Friday, L.A. should also welcome back Austin Reaves, who has missed five games with a left pelvic contusion.

Outside Davis, the other Lakers in the rotation against Portland for 15 or more minutes without James were starters Rui Hachimura, Max Christie, Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht as well as reserves D'Angelo Russell, Cam Reddish and Christian Koloko.