The decision to monitor LeBron James’ minutes in Los Angeles has been a pretty big story as the Lakers finish up what has been a lost 2018-19 season.
That will now include James sitting out the back end of a back-to-back Friday night against the Detroit Pistons.
Lakers‘ LeBron James will sit tonight against Detroit due to load management.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 15, 2019
Following Thursday’s defeat at the hands of the Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles enters this weekend’s action 7.5 games out of the final playoff spot. The team only has 14 games remaining on its schedule. You can do the math from there.
Resting James is as much about Los Angeles not wanting to risk further injury to the superstar than anything else. He missed a career-high 17 consecutive games earlier this season to a groin injury.
This comes with both Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram lost for the season to injuries themselves.
James, 34, is averaging 27.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game this season.