How LeBron James helped dissect the Warriors’ loss
The Los Angeles Lakers lost the season opener, 119-109, at home to the Golden State Warriors, a game in which LeBron James he didn’t play. James is currently dealing with a nerve injury and is expected to be out for at least four weeks. Lakers head coach JJ Redick admitted there were moments during the game when he wished he had he had James on the court, but at the team’s practice the next day, Redick admitted to James was an integral part breaking the loss, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
“LeBron was a big help,” Redick said. “I told them that he’s asking questions, that he’s contributing, that having a back and forth is so healthy… I wish we had dialogue and conversation and questions every time we shoot and teach. You have a question, speak up. If you want to say something, speak up. It was good.”
The Lakers’ season opener marked the first time in his career that LeBron James has missed a season opener. It’s been 22 years in a row that James has been available for his team’s first night game. Without James, the Lakers were defeated, even though they trailed by just two points, 58-56, at halftime.
After the game, Redick bemoaned the fact that the Lakers remain a bad team in the third quartera worrying trend that goes back to last season. They’ll have a few days to figure it out before their next game, Friday night at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
James appeared in 70 games for the Lakers last season, averaging just over 34 minutes per game. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 51.3 percent from the field, 37.6 percent from the three-point line and 78.2 percent from the free throw line.
During the Lakers’ first-round playoff loss to the Wolves, James averaged 25.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.8 blocks on 48.9 percent shooting from the field, 35.7 percent from the three-point line, and 77.5 percent from the free throw line.
2025-10-23 00:05:00
