Overview

• Los Angeles Lakers plan to limit LeBron James' play time in a bid to keep the 38-year-old star in good health for the postseason. This strategy is shaped by consultation with James, his athletic trainer, and the Lakers' medical staff.
• James, who has never averaged fewer than 33.4 minutes in a season, logged 29 minutes in the Lakers' 2023-24 opener. Despite lesser time on the court, he still led the Lakers in points and rebounds.
• Second-year Lakers coach, Darvin Ham, feels this approach allows James to be as effective as possible without overexerting. Minute management will depend on day-to-day analysis of James' condition and inputs from the team's training and medical staff.
• James was sidelined due to a foot injury for 27 games during the previous season, but averaged 35.5 minutes per game over his 55 appearances. The team aims to retain James in the 28- to 30-minute range for this season.
• The strategic move to limit James' play time means the Lakers will need more from their other players, specifically Anthony Davis, who had a strong first half but struggled to score in the second half in the recent game against the Denver Nuggets.