LeBron James Says It’s Too Early for Playoff Talk After December Loss
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Los Angeles, CA – December 10, 2025 — Following a 132–110 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James dismissed any discussion about the postseason, stressing that the calendar still reads December.
“It’s December. What? Are you talking about the playoffs? Nah, I can’t do that,” James told reporters after the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal loss. “It’s not OK. Not my mindset. I can’t think about what we can do in the playoffs in December.”
The Lakers entered the in-season tournament with a 4-0 record in group play but were overrun by a Spurs lineup missing rookie star Victor Wembanyama. The 132 points allowed intensified concerns about Los Angeles’ defense, worries that had already been voiced publicly by James’s agent, Rich Paul, who recently said the current roster is not a championship contender.
James acknowledged the team must sharpen its approach during the regular season before considering postseason implications. “The habits that we build throughout the regular season each month—if we are in a position to make it to the postseason—we have to build it now,” he added.
Head coach JJ Redick echoed that sentiment, noting that the same shortcomings surface whenever the Lakers lose, often by wide margins. Despite ranking near the top of the Western Conference standings, Los Angeles has struggled to contain opponents in its defeats.
The Lakers continue regular-season play later this week, aiming to solidify their defense and maintain momentum in a tightly packed conference race.
Source: Lakers Nation
