Lakers' offense is in deep water, as LeBron slump continues

MINNEAPOLIS — LeBron James is in quite the shooting slump — especially from long distance.

James missed all four of his 3-point attempts for the Los Angeles Lakers in a 109-80 loss at Minnesota on Monday night, stretching his skid to 0 for 19 from deep over the last four games.

After going 4 for 16 from the floor overall with six of his team's 20 turnovers for a season-low 10 points against the Timberwolves, James was asked to reflect on the Lakers reaching the quarter mark of their 2024-25 schedule under rookie coach JJ Redick at 12-9.

"I wouldn't say I'll take it. I would never want to say that," James said. "It is what it is. This is our record. We've just got to continue to get better at both ends of the floor."

Particularly offensively, and it's not only James, the four-time NBA MVP, whose average of 22 points per game is his lowest since he was a rookie 21 years ago.

"We're just not good offensively right now. I think we spent so much time trying to get our defense corrected that our offense took a toll and took a back seat to that," he said.

James hasn't made a 3-pointer since he tied Kyle Korver for seventh on the league's career list (2,450) last week. His fourth attempt against the Timberwolves from behind the arc was an air ball, causing an audible gasp from the crowd at Target Center.

The long ball isn't the only shot he's struggling with. The mid-range is on his list, too.

"Just period, just everything," James said. "Just a rhythm. I just feel off rhythm the last few games."

How does he fix it?

"Work. Just work. That's all," James said.

His stated goal of playing in all 82 games this season is still intact, but his recent performances have raised questions about whether such a quest would be wise.

"We are measuring the players, and we can tell if a guy is running hot, or whatever," Redick said. "He does a remarkable job of taking care of his body and getting recovery. I don't know if that's in the best interests for us and him if he does that, but if he's feeling well and good, then he should play."

James said the 82-game achievement remains a goal for him in his age-40 season — his birthday is Dec 30 — but he declined to discuss the possibility of resting.

The much bigger issue, for now, is getting the Lakers back on track offensively in this continued adjustment to Redick's system and a new staff. Their 80-point output at Minnesota was the team's lowest since a 122-73 loss at Dallas in 2017, according to Sportradar.

"Sometimes we look like a team that can compete with anyone, and sometimes we look like a team that is terrible and not going to do anything this season," co-star Anthony Davis said. "We've just got to figure out what team we want to be for the rest of the season."

Rudy Gobert scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves. Julius Randle finished with 18 points for Minnesota, which picked up its second straight win. Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 15 points apiece off the bench, and fellow reserve Donte DiVincenzo had 11 points and nine assists.

Celtics keep rolling

Jaylen Brown led all scorers with 29 points, and also had seven rebounds, as the Boston Celtics beat the visiting Miami Heat 108-89 on Monday night.

Payton Pritchard added 25 points, while hitting five 3-pointers for the Celtics, who received 19 points, eight assists and six rebounds from Derrick White and 18 points and 11 boards from Jayson Tatum. Boston's Luke Kornet blocked six shots.

The Celtics have won five games in a row at home.

Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr each tossed in 19 points for Miami, which shot 35.6 percent from the field (31 of 87). Jaquez also had 10 rebounds. Miami was 8-for-35 from 3-point territory.

The Heat played without Jimmy Butler, who sustained a knee injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 119-116 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Before Monday's game, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra called Butler day-to-day. Butler is averaging 18.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game this season.

Boston was missing Jrue Holiday (knee), Al Horford (toe), Kristaps Porzingis (injury management) and Sam Hauser (personal reasons).

Miami scored the game's first seven points, but a 17-2 run gave the Celtics a 17-9 lead following a Tatum 3-pointer with 5:44 to play in the opening quarter. Boston had a 28-25 advantage after 12 minutes of action.

Boston took its first double-digit lead after a Brown 3-pointer made it 39-29 with 8:42 remaining in the second quarter, and the Celtics led by 60-43, when Drew Peterson connected on a 3-pointer with 1:26 left in the first half.

Agencies