LeBron James Returns with a Bang: Lakers Star Shines After Injury Break as Coach Redick Plans Smart Workload Strategy

After missing two games in an eight-day span to address a lingering foot injury, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James returned on December 15, helping his team secure a 116-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. Though stepping away from the court wasn’t an easy decision for James, it proved beneficial.

“If it was up to just me, I probably would’ve played,” James admitted following the win, according to ESPN. “It would’ve been hard to keep me away from it. I have a team, and I’ve got to listen to them as well. They look out for my best interest.”

The short break appeared to pay off, as James contributed 18 points to the Lakers’ hard-fought victory. Reflecting on the time off, the four-time NBA champion shared that it allowed him to refocus and recover effectively. “I had an opportunity to take more days and get my mind, body, and everything where I wanted it to be for tonight,” he explained. “And it worked out.”

Despite his absence from the games, James, who turns 40 on December 30, remained committed to maintaining his form during the downtime. “I did a lot of rehabbing, a lot of training still to make sure that I was ready to go tonight,” he noted. “Didn’t want to get too much out of shape.”

Moving forward, Lakers head coach JJ Redick emphasized a more strategic approach to managing James’ workload. Rather than limiting his total minutes, Redick plans to shorten James’ on-court stints, allowing for quicker rotations and brief breaks to avoid overexertion. “Not necessarily less minutes,” Redick clarified in a post-game press conference, “but shorter runs so that he’s not getting gassed, and then quicker segments on the bench and then he’s back in.”

While James has previously expressed his desire to play all 82 regular-season games, Redick remains cautious, prioritizing both the player’s health and the team’s success. “I don’t know that’s in the best interest of him and us if he does that,” Redick admitted. “If he’s feeling well and feeling good, then he should play. But we obviously want to manage that as best we can.”

For now, James’ return signals a renewed energy for the Lakers, as they look to balance their veteran star’s contributions while keeping him healthy for the long run.