LeBron James had a spring in his step Sunday as he returned to action against the Memphis Grizzlies, contributing 18 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two blocks in a 116-110 win.
The soon-to-be 40-year-old hadn’t played in over a week, partly because of the NBA Cup schedule and partly because James and the team saw an opportunity to rest and ease some ailments. James has been dealing with some left foot soreness and a quadriceps niggle, with only the latter fully healing.
“It’s an everyday thing, it’s not behind me,” James said. “It’s something that’s been lingering for the last few years but I was able to do a lot of great things. I got kneed in the quad in Atlanta at the end of regulation by [Anthony Davis], so that’s now back to 100 percent.”
The Atlanta Hawks game was on Friday, Dec. 6, one in which James dominated with 39 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals and three blocks. He skipped games against the Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves, allowing for nine full days of recovery.
“It’s very rare throughout the course of a season where you can take advantage of the schedule and I was able to do that over the past week,” James said. “A lot of rehabbing, a lot of training, still, to make sure I was ready to go tonight. Didn’t wanna get too much out of shape.”
James’ biggest highlight of the night came on a two-way sequence. He threw down a vintage tomahawk slam on one end before racing back for his trademark chase-down block.
LEBRON SLAM & CHASEDOWN BLOCK 🔥
MEM-LAL | NBA League Pass
📲 https://t.co/Bw2WduMjx5 pic.twitter.com/UFGC6IYPas— NBA (@NBA) December 16, 2024
Lakers head coach JJ Redick indicated that he may look to play James for shorter stretches, as well as shorter breaks, in an effort to let him give more for short bursts, while still maintaining his minutes as he deals with this nagging foot soreness.
Through 24 games, James is averaging 22.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists while shooting 55.1 percent on twos and 36.5 percent on threes. The biggest concern and signs of showing decline is the Lakers’ struggles with James on the floor. This year, their net rating is 16 points better when James sits. Last season, they were plus-8.3 points better per 100 possessions with James out there and 9.7 points better the year prior.
Even with the comfortable nature of Sunday’s win over the Grizzlies, the Lakers played Memphis to a draw during James’ 34 minutes — the worst mark among their starters. Next up will be the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.
