Los Angeles Lakers head coach J.J. Redick said postseason award eligibility will not influence when LeBron James takes the court again, even though the veteran is one game away from the limit set by the NBA’s 65-game rule.
James, 40, was held out of Friday’s loss in Boston and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup in Philadelphia with right sciatica and left foot joint arthritis. He has already missed 16 games; a 17th absence would make him ineligible for honors such as All-NBA.
“It’s never come up as something that’s important,” Redick told reporters. “The biggest thing was getting him healthy, then re-acclimating him. Awards are great, but they’re far down the list of things we worry about.”
James’ limited action
The forward sat out the first 14 contests of the season and debuted on November 18. Through six appearances he is averaging 14.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 32.8 minutes while shooting .413 from the field, .259 from three and .550 at the line. He turns 41 later this month, a factor Redick said makes managing his workload critical.
Smart sidelined again
Marcus Smart will miss his sixth straight game Sunday. The veteran guard is now listed with a left lumbar muscle strain, replacing the previous “lower back injury management” designation. Smart has played 14 games and started nine in his first season with Los Angeles.
Historic scoring streak ends
James’ run of 1,297 consecutive double-digit scoring games ended Thursday in Toronto. He finished with eight points and passed to Rui Hachimura for the game-winning three-pointer on the final possession. “You always make the right play. That’s how I was taught,” James said.
Doncic welcomes new addition
Forward Luka Doncic and his fiancée announced the birth of their second child Saturday on Instagram. Doncic did not play Friday but has been taken off the Lakers’ status report for Sunday’s game.
Source: Hoops Rumors
