BOSTON — LeBron James didn’t play in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 126-105 road loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday because of multiple injuries, missing L.A.’s lone trip to Boston for the second time in the past three years.
James, who turns 41 later this month, was out because of the sciatica that kept him out of the first 14 games of the season and arthritis in his left foot, according to the team’s injury report.
James played a season-high 36 minutes in the Lakers’ win in Toronto on Thursday, finding Rui Hachimura with a game-winning assist for a jump shot at the buzzer.
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James finished the game with eight points, ending his record streak of 1,297 straight games with 10 or more points.
“In some ways,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said, “I’m really glad this streak is over so now we can stop talking about it.”
The 23-year veteran did not play in both legs of the Lakers’ back-to-back last week, either.
Redick said the team plans to ramp James up to be able to participate in back-to-backs as the season continues.
The Lakers were also without Luka Doncic (personal reasons) and Marcus Smart (back) in the loss to the Celtics.
Redick said it is possible that Doncic will rejoin the team for the conclusion of its three-game trip against the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
He hinted that James and Smart could be cleared to play, as well.
“The hope for all the guys would be that they’re available Sunday,” Redick said. “That’s the hope for everybody.”
L.A.’s undermanned group fell down 39-17 after the first quarter Friday, and Boston went on to shoot 24-for-45 (53.3%) on 3-pointers for the game.
Austin Reaves led the way for L.A. with 36 points and 8 rebounds, and Gabe Vincent scored 18 points on 5-for-10 shooting while filling in with the starting lineup.
The Lakers (16-6) have yet to lose consecutive games this season and will look to keep that mark intact with a win in Philadelphia.
“Obviously if we’re going to be whole, that would be amazing,” Vincent said. “If we’re not, it’s next man up and we got to find a way to get a win. Obviously, you don’t want to go streaking in the wrong direction.”
