LOS ANGELES — After missing three straight games with foot, elbow and hip injuries, LeBron James returned to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup on Thursday — and did so with a direct response to critics who wondered about his willingness to fit in around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
James scored 17 points to go with seven rebounds and seven assists in the Lakers’ 142-130 win against the Chicago Bulls, taking just 13 shot attempts to 51 combined for the team’s starting guards.
“He’s been a high-usage player and the No. 1 option his whole career, and I know he wants to win,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “And he wants to do everything possible to help this team win, even if it looks a little bit differently.
“He had to make some sacrifices when we traded for Luka last year. And he understands how important it is for Luka and AR to have time on the ball. And the realistic thing is that, when they’re on the court together, that’s going to take away time on the ball from him.”
On Thursday, James didn’t attempt his first shot until the second quarter and made just one of five in the first half before a terrific all-around third quarter helped the Lakers blow the game open.
“If it benefits others, it benefits the team,” James said. “The team is most important. Everybody’s successful when we win. So, yeah, it is a sacrifice. I know what I’m capable of still doing as an individual, but what’s important for this team, I’m able to adapt to what’s important for this team. And that’s the only thing that matters. And the win is the only thing that matters.”
Following impressive wins over the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves with James sidelined, a fresh round of “Are the Lakers better without him?” talk filled plenty of time on debate shows. The Lakers (41-25) are 10-2 when Reaves and Dončić play and James doesn’t.
Earlier this week, Redick cited injuries and a lack of court time as the three primary reasons.
“There’s a clear pecking order when LeBron — or when Luka and AR — are on the floor together with guys that are low usage players,” he said. “That’s the nature of it. That’s the nature of nearly every Big Three that’s ever existed.”
“We’ve seen some positive signs, and I know LeBron, he recognizes the importance of having Luka as the engine. All he really wants is to impact winning.”
On Thursday, Redick praised James for his screening, something James said he knew he’d have to do with Jaxson Hayes and Maxi Kleber both missing the game because of back injuries. He also said the Lakers are entering the stretch of the season when they need to be readying for the playoffs.
“You can build habits, you can build chemistry, you can build a way how you want to play when it comes to the postseason,” James said. “So every game matters, and the way that you approach the game matters and the details of approaching every night.”
Redick said he and James have spoken a lot about his role, and he praised the 41-year-old star’s commitment to winning.
“We had a great conversation over the last couple days,” Redick said. “I think, again, he wants to do everything possible to help his team win. And he understands the importance of making sure Luka and AR can be at their best. And that’s incredible with him.
“It speaks a lot to just how much he cares about this team and his teammates, and how much he wants to win.”
