LeBron James Is Taking Time Off Basketball For “Personal Reasons” After Video Of Him Praising Accused Sex Trafficker P Diddy Goes Viral

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James will stop playing basketball for an undisclosed amount of time.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick told reporters, “LeBron is not with the team right now.”

He added, “He’s out for personal reasons, excused absence.”

James’ absence comes as he has been playing the worst basketball of his career.

It also comes around the same time that videos of James saying, “There ain’t no party like a Diddy party” resurfaced.

JUST IN: LeBron James away from Lakers for ‘personal reasons’ as he battles unusual drop-off – NY Post.

We all know the reason why —- “ain’t no party like a Diddy party” pic.twitter.com/K2aPqvpHHy

— Zaki Solja (@zakisolja) December 12, 2024

LeBron James, a close friend of Diddy, is stepping away from playing for the Lakers for "personal reasons" during what’s been his worst season yet.

Struggling both on and off the court, LeBron has faced heavy criticism for attending Diddy’s parties, while his media company lost… pic.twitter.com/nL5YvM6Rzl

— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) December 12, 2024

Here’s what The New York Post reported:

LeBron James appears to be searching for answers as he steps away from the Lakers amid a worrying decline and swirling trade rumors.

“LeBron is not with the team right now,” Redick told reporters while at practice on Wednesday. “He’s out for personal reasons, excused absence.”

James missed his first game of the season on Sunday against the Blazers — a 107-98 victory — after previously setting a goal to play all 82 in his age-40 season.

Redick added that James would “take some time” after struggling mightily in his last few games, including an 0-for-20 stretch from beyond the 3-point line.

BREAKING: LeBron James away from Lakers for “personal reasons.” pic.twitter.com/iubGVQlnmW

— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) December 12, 2024

Per ESPN:

The Los Angeles Lakers congregated as a team Wednesday for the first time since Sunday’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers, only an important figure was missing from the group: LeBron James.

“LeBron is not with the team right now,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said after practice. “He’s out for personal reasons, excused absence.”

James sat out the Blazers game because of soreness in his left foot. It was the first game James, 39, missed all season.

With the schedule providing a break — L.A. plays just two games in a 10-day stretch from Dec. 9-18 — Redick gave the entire team Monday off and designated Tuesday as an optional “get what you need” day.

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Redick met with many of the Lakers’ players individually Tuesday, but James was not present, the coach said.