In the Los Angeles Lakers 116-100 win over Memphis on Sunday night following an eight-day layoff, superstar LeBron James said his left foot soreness was something that convinced the coaching staff and medical team to give him the extra time off.
He missed his first two games of the season, and his team went 1-1 in the two games.
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By failing to advance to Las Vegas and defend their NBA Cup championship from last season, LA’s schedule had to play just two games during a 10-day stretch allo wing James to prioritize his health.
“I had an opportunity to take more days and get my mind, body and everything where I wanted it to be for tonight,” James said after the win. “And it worked out.”
James was averaging 23 points on 49.5% shooting (35.9% from 3), 9.1 assists and 8.0 rebounds before Sunday’s game. Head coach JJ Redick has said he is in constant communication with James and his athletic trainer, Mike Mancias, about managing the all-time leading scorer workload as he nears the age of 40 at the end of the month.
After putting up 18 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 blocks in his first game back in 34 minutes against the Grizzlies said about coming back , “A lot of rehabbing, a lot of training still to make sure that I was ready to go tonight,” James said. “Didn’t want to get too much out of shape.”
Related: LeBron James listed on injury report for Sunday night’s game
Moving forward, coach Redick said he will try to find certain pockets of rest for James without him needing to miss entire games.
“Not necessarily less minutes, but shorter runs so that he’s not getting gassed and then quicker segments on the bench and then he’s back in,” Redick said.
Because according to James his left foot soreness remains “an everyday thing,” adding: “It’s not behind me.”
“Had some energy, which kind of brought energy to us,” Anthony Davis, who tied season highs with 40 points and 16 rebounds, playing through a stinger injury to his left shoulder said after the game. “He’s obviously dealing with some stuff. But I think a week off kind of just let him heal and get back right.”
LA currently sits at 14-12 and 10th in the West, and have six games remaining in 2024.
