LeBron James’ 82-game scoring streak in jeopardy amid worst shooting slump since 2004 | LeBron James

LeBron James is in quite a shooting crisis – especially from distance.

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

After James went 4-for-16 from the field overall and scored 10 points on six of his team’s 20 turnovers against the Timberwolves, he was asked to reflect on how the Lakers reached the quarter mark of their 2024-25 schedule under rookie coach JJ Redick at 12-9.

“I wouldn’t say I’ll accept it. I would never want to say that,” James said. “It is what it is. That’s our record. We just have to continue to get better on both ends of the court.”

Especially offensively, and that doesn’t just apply to James, the four-time NBA MVP, whose average of 22 points per game is the lowest since he was a rookie 21 years ago.

He made just under 25% of his attempts from the floor on Monday, marking his sixth straight under 45%. According to ESPN Research, it’s his longest streak of games under 45% since 2004, when he failed to reach the mark in 11 straight games during his rookie season.

“We’re just not good offensively at the moment. I think we spent so much time fixing our defense that our offense took its toll and took a backseat,” he said.

James hasn’t made a three-pointer since tying Kyle Korver for seventh place on the league’s career list (2,450) last week. His fourth attempt against the Timberwolves from behind the arc was an aerial ball that drew an audible gasp from the Target Center crowd.

The long ball isn’t the only shot he struggles with. The middle class is also on his list.

“Just point, just everything,” James said. “Just a rhythm. I just felt like I was out of sync the last few games.”

How does he fix the problem?

“Work. Just work. That’s all,” James said.

His stated goal of playing all 82 games this season is still intact, but his recent performances raise questions about whether such an endeavor would make sense.

“We measure players and can tell if a guy is getting hot or whatever,” Redick said. “He does a great job of taking care of his body and healing it. I don’t know if it’s in our best interest and his best interest for him to do that, but if he’s feeling well, he should play.”

James said 82-game success remains a goal for him in his 40-year-old season – his birthday is December 30 – but declined to discuss the possibility of a break.

The much bigger issue right now is getting the Lakers back on track offensively with this further adjustment to Redick’s system and a new team. According to Sportradar, their 80-point output in Minnesota was the team’s lowest since a 122-73 loss in Dallas in 2017.

“Sometimes we look like a team that can compete with anyone, and sometimes we look like a team that is terrible and won’t do anything this season,” co-star Anthony Davis said. “We just have to figure out which team we want to play for the rest of the season.”