MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Timberwolves big man Al Jefferson did not practice on Thursday, the third straight day he has been absent for what the team is calling "personal reasons."

Jefferson also missed practice on Tuesday and the game against Golden State on Wednesday night. Coach Kurt Rambis says the absences are excused and acceptable. Rambis says he is hoping that the team's leading scorer will return for the game Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, but he isn't sure if that will be the case.

Jefferson is averaging 17.4 points and 9.4 rebounds this season. He has missed five games this season, including two after his grandmother died in November and two in March for a suspension related to his drunken driving arrest.