Lakers coach JJ Redick’s one-word response to question about when LeBron James will return to the team

JJ Redick didn’t mince his words when a reporter asked him when superstar LeBron James would be back with the team on Friday night.

James has been away from the Los Angeles Lakers since Wednesday for what are being described as “personal reasons,” with much speculation surrounding the reasons for his absence.

When asked by a reporter before Friday night’s game at Minnesota if he knew when James would be back with the team, Redick simply replied, “No.”

The 39-year-old’s absence was revealed on the same day he was called out by MMA fighter Colby Covington over his past ties to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.

At a press conference four years ago, Covington referenced a video of James joining Combs on an Instagram Live video.

“Hey, everyone knows, no party is as fun as a Diddy party,” James told Combs in the clip, which went viral in September.

JJ Redick kept his answer short when reporters asked how long James will remain missing

“What does LeBron mean by that? How many Diddy parties has he actually attended?’ Covington asked during a meeting press conference Wednesday.

Combs was arrested in Manhattan in September following an investigation into alleged sex trafficking, and he is accused of drugging and raping victims as young as nine.

Combs, who faces more than 100 sexual assault allegations, is known to have committed the extravagant “freak-offs.”

These parties would culminate in large orgies, sometimes lasting days.

Combs continues to maintain that he was wrongly accused, claiming that the parties, while nasty, were all consensual.

There is nothing to indicate that LeBron’s absence from the Lakers is related to any accusations from Combs.

Revealing the news Wednesday, Lakers coach Redick told reporters, “LeBron is not with the team at this time. He is absent for personal reasons, excused absence.’

An old clip of James talking to Diddy (right) on Instagram Live has surfaced in recent weeks

The NBA legend, pictured with wife Savannah, celebrates his 40th birthday this month

He added that the veteran “needs some time” and had no timetable for when James would return to the team.

Last week, James was on the Lakers’ injury report due to foot soreness, and on Friday he was listed with a left foot injury.

Sunday against Portland was the first game James has missed this season, making it two with his absence during the trip to Minnesota.

He did not appear to have traveled with the team and was not on the bench during the match.

The Lakers are back in LA on Sunday night to take on the Memphis Grizzlies.

James’ absence also comes after he was shrouded in trade rumors this week.

The Golden State Warriors are said to be keeping an eye on the veteran as they look for a second star to join Steph Curry, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported this week.

“The Warriors have been dreaming of pairing LeBron with Steph Curry and Draymond Green since last year,” he said on the network’s “Get Up.”

MMA fighter Colby Covington appeared to call out James for his past ties to Sean Combs

James and son Bronny became the very first father-son duo to ever play in the NBA

“They investigated and it was closed last February. That was before LeBron played with Steve Kerr and Steph Curry and won the gold medal this summer.

“So they’ll definitely be monitoring the situation, and I don’t think they’re doing anything without knowing that this door is locked, but I would just tell LeBron, it’s up to him. He has a no-trade clause and he has given no indication that he wants the Lakers to do anything other than upgrade the roster they have, not that he wants to go anywhere.”

James fulfilled his dream of playing in the NBA with his son Bronny this season when the 20-year-old was selected by the Lakers in the second round of the 2024 Draft.

They became the first-ever father-son duo to play alongside each other in an NBA game during the Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22.