Will LeBron Skip Back-to-Backs? JJ Redick’s Plan

The Los Angeles Lakers played their back-to-back without LeBron James, who sat out their 133-121 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. The decision is part of the ongoing management of his left-foot issue – a problem that has affected him in recent years and still requires maximum caution.

James, 40, only recently returned after missing the first 14 games of the season due to sciatica, a nerve irritation that starts in the lower back and radiates down the right leg. It’s a delicate condition that has limited his minutes in the past and continues to require a carefully planned workload.

Before tip-off, JJ Redick explained the decision plainly:

It’s an injury we know well and one we have to manage. Basically, the last ten days have been his real training camp. With a back-to-back coming up, we prefer to be cautious.

JJ Redick

The call for caution isn’t coming only from the coaching staff. Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports and LeBron’s agent, also reiterated recently that he would prefer to avoid back-to-backs to protect the star’s body in what is his 23rd NBA season – an all-time record.

Redick, however, isn’t closing the door:

The goal is to build up his conditioning so he can play in back-to-backs. We’ll evaluate every situation case by case, but it’s something we want to get to. And it’s something he wants as well.

JJ Redick

Despite the physical limitations and late start, LeBron has made an immediate impact: 16.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 5.0 rebounds across the four games he’s played – all of them Lakers wins. A clear sign of his technical and emotional weight within the group.

In the end, everything revolves around one goal: getting LeBron to the best possible version of himself when things start to truly matter. If that means sitting out a few extra games, the Lakers appear to have accepted it. For now, they’ll keep moving forward, one step at a time.