Recently, the Los Angeles Lakers shared a heartwarming moment off the court, posting a video from a team-bonding dinner hosted by Deandre Ayton’s mother, Andrea. The gathering brought together much of the organization, including the coaching staff, head coach JJ Redick, and franchise star Luka Doncic. Still, the night also drew attention for one notable absence, as LeBron James was nowhere to be seen. However, he seemed to have sent a representative.

Despite the King not being there, one James did make it. LeBron’s son turned teammate, Bronny. The night was framed as an opportunity for players and staff to connect away from the floor during a brief break amid a demanding stretch of the season.

Despite the absence of the veteran leader, the meeting’s focus remained on food and camaraderie. With several new faces on the team this season, including Ayton, Jake LaRavia, and Marcus Smart, as well as the team navigating the early months of the season, LA seems to have leaned into more informal bonding opportunities.

LeBron’s absence might be due to the left foot arthritis that he was managing over the weeks, which caused him to miss the team’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans on November 30th.

Ayton’s mother prepared a classic Thanksgiving-style spread for the team, including “oxtail, curry mutton, rice and peas, and fried chicken” along with jerk chicken, with Andrea remarking that “Jamaican cuisine is the best.” The reactions said everything, with Redick barely able to contain himself in the video posted to the Lakers social media.

“The food was fantastic,” LaRavia said. “As you can see, I have my second plate here, and I’m just very thankful that, you know, DA’s mom did this for us.”

Assistant coach Lindsey Harding explained how these moments bring the Lakers closer and how important the team meals are over the course of an 82-game season. It lets the team come together and build chemistry regardless of the ups and downs during the games.

LeBron James’ Audible at the Line Puts JJ Redick and the Lakers’ Hierarchy Under the Microscope

The Lakers’ narrow win yesterday over the Phoenix Suns came down to execution, emotion, and one unexpected decision. With the game hanging in the balance, LeBron James stepped up to the line to take the technical free throws that JJ Redick expected Luka Doncic to take. James simply walked up to the line, with no visible discussion, and he was unapologetic afterwards.

“S—, I just walked to the free-throw line,” James said afterward, explaining either he or Doncic could’ve taken the shots.

Redick later revealed that the decision caught him off guard, and that the Lakers had a systematic hierarchy shaped by their rhythm, efficiency, and personnel, and that Doncic was the expected choice.

“Luka should have shot that,” Redick said plainly, acknowledging the disconnect without escalating it publicly.

The miss nearly cost them the game. Phoenix surged late, with Dillon Brooks hitting a three to briefly take the lead, before being ejected after confronting James. This sequence caught a lot of scrutiny, especially with ongoing debates about James’ role on the team and Redick’s authority beside the 40-year-old superstar.

James ultimately redeemed himself by knocking down the game-icing free throws in the final seconds, but the episode has observers questioning who really is in charge in Los Angeles.