The Los Angeles Lakers are finding their groove this season, and they’re doing it with a twist - winning without needing LeBron James to carry the load every night. In their latest victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, James didn’t even suit up, yet the Lakers kept the momentum rolling. That’s a promising sign for a team with championship aspirations and a 40-year-old superstar who’s still managing his way back into full game shape.
LeBron returned to action just over a week ago after an extended absence, and the Lakers are taking a measured approach to ramping him up. Right now, that means skipping back-to-backs - a strategy that’s becoming more common across the league, especially for veterans with heavy mileage. Head coach JJ Redick addressed the situation candidly following the win over New Orleans.
“It’s something we’ve had to manage,” Redick said. “Given the back-to-back and the fact that he’s basically just coming off his training camp - this has been his training camp over the last 10 days or so - [we’re] just being cautious.”
Redick’s point is clear: this isn’t about load management for the sake of rest - it’s about building LeBron back up the right way. He’s not ruling out back-to-backs entirely, but the team is taking it one step at a time.
“We’re going to build him up, hopefully, to be able to play in back-to-backs,” Redick added. “That’s the goal.
But you are correct. Every back-to-back is a case-by-case.
That’s just the reality of the NBA right now. But we want him to be able to play in back-to-backs.
So does he. So, we’re going to work toward that.”
This is the kind of long-game thinking that makes sense when you’re talking about a player in his 23rd NBA season. LeBron’s basketball IQ is off the charts, and he knows his body better than anyone.
With the Lakers playing well and showing they can win without leaning on him every night, there’s no pressure to rush the process. It’s about being ready when it matters - and for a team with postseason ambitions, that means April, May, and beyond.
The Lakers’ depth and cohesion have been on full display during this stretch. They’re not just surviving without LeBron - they’re thriving. That gives Redick and the coaching staff the flexibility to be smart with his minutes, and it gives LeBron the space to work his way back without sacrificing wins.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how the Lakers balance LeBron’s workload with their push for playoff positioning. If they can keep winning while gradually reintegrating their franchise cornerstone, they’ll be in a strong spot down the stretch. For now, the plan is simple: keep building, stay cautious, and make sure LeBron is at full strength when the games matter most.