Lakers’ LeBron James To Be ‘Very Strategic’ With Injured Foot Moving Forward

After the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies, LeBron James told NBA reporters that he’ll be “very strategic” about “games and how many days in between games” he gives himself to rest moving forward. 

LeBron is dealing with a left foot injury. 

“Just be very strategic on what, obviously, games and how many days in between games and flights and things of that nature,” LeBron said, via The Athletic. “Obviously understanding and seeing how my ankle and my foot is feeling. But just being very smart about it, obviously. We are where we are, but our health has always been the most important (thing) for our ball club.”

The Lakers are in ninth place in the Western Conference standings with a record of 41-32. 

“If I’m not healthy, or any close to being healthy, then it’s not good for our ball club anyway,” LeBron said. “It’s not good for me.”

LeBron played against the Grizzlies after missing the Milwaukee Bucks game the previous night. The leading scorer in NBA history finished with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists in 34 minutes while shooting 8-of-14 from the field and 7-of-11 from the free-throw line. 

LeBron, 39, is averaging 25.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists on the season for the Lakers while shooting 53.0% from the floor, 40.5% from 3 and 74.8% from the foul line. He’s still one of the best basketball players in the league despite being the oldest player. 

If the regular season ended today, the Lakers would face the Golden State Warriors in the 9-10 play-in tournament game. LA would need to win two play-in games in a row to make the 2024 playoffs. 

The Lakers are seventh in the NBA in points per game, 23rd in points per game allowed and 19th in net rating.