Mar 28, 2024, 08:53 ET
LeBron James says he will prioritize his health over the Lakers’ pursuit of a playoff berth down the stretch of the regular season.
MEMPHIS — LeBron James says he will prioritize his health over the Los Angeles Lakers’ pursuit of playoff qualification in the final stretch of the regular season.
“I have to be smart about this,” he said. James after the Lakers’ 136-124 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. “If I’m not healthy, or not close to being healthy, then it’s not good for our team anyway. It’s not good for me.”
LeBron James reacts with coach Darvin Ham as he exits the game during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies. Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
James returned from a one-game absence due to his sore left ankle (something that has been a problem for the 21-year-old veteran for months) to record his fourth triple-double of the season with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists against the Grizzlies.
Los Angeles extended its winning streak to a season-high five games and is currently No. 9 in the Western Conference standings with nine games remaining in the regular season.
Editorial Selections
1 Related
However, James He said the fact that he rested his ankle the night before in the Lakers’ 128-124 double-overtime victory against the Milwaukee Bucks was evidence that he won’t risk short-term gains that could affect his long-term availability.
“I mean, I probably would have tried to play yesterday [en Milwaukee] if that were the case,” he said James39 years old.
James has missed 10 games this season and Los Angeles has gone 6-4 in his absence, the first time a team from James has posted an above .500 record without him since the Miami Heat in 2012-13. However, the four-time MVP, who has played in 282 career playoff games without missing a single one, doesn’t want to put his team in that position when the games matter most.
“Just being strategic,” he said. James about their decisions about when to play and when to rest. “Obviously, understanding and seeing how my ankle and foot feel. But obviously being very smart about it. We are where we are, but our health has always been the most important thing for our club. Not just an individual. But for me, taking care of myself “When it comes to injuries and knowing my foot and my ankle and how it reacts, and how it’s been the last few years, it’s just always being on the lookout for it.”
2024-03-28 13:53:00
#LeBron #James #strategic #health #Lakers #classification
