LeBron James explained his brief absence after returning to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.
After sitting out two games, James led the Lakers to a 116-110 win over the Memphis Grizzlies with 18 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. The 39-year-old’s hiatus was initially shrouded in some mystery, with head coach JJ Redick saying they excused the star from the team for personal reasons.
Speaking to reporters after Sunday’s game, James said the team advised him to rest because of lingering foot soreness.
“If it was up to just me, I probably would’ve played,” James said, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “It would’ve been hard to keep me away from it. I have a team and I got to listen to them as well. They look out for my best interest.”
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer described what he did during his eight days away from the team.
“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.”
James also said that his foot issue is “an everyday thing” that’s “not behind me.”
Early in the season, LeBron said he planned to play all 82 games. Last season’s 71 games represented his highest total since last playing every game for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017-18.
James opened his 22nd season by playing in 23 straight games before the brief respite. The four-time MVP is averaging 22.8 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.0 rebounds per game for the Lakers, who had lost seven of their last nine games before their superstar stepped away.
The NBA’s oldest active player, James will turn 40 in two weeks. Yet he’s still played 35.0 minutes per game, narrowly trailing Anthony Davis (35.3) for the team’s second-highest average.
Redick hopes to manage LeBron’s minutes without restricting his time on the court too much.
“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.
James will presumably play against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night.
Related: LeBron James Is Away From The Lakers For ‘Personal Reasons’