LeBron James Says Foot Injury Is 'an Everyday Thing' After Return to Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James isn't entirely healthy despite making his return to the court in Sunday's 116-110 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

James missed the Lakers' two previous games because of lingering foot soreness. Following Sunday's contest, he told reporters the issue is "not behind me" and is something he'll have to continue managing.

"It's an everyday thing," he said. "It's been lingering for the last few years, but I was able to do a lot of great things to reassure not only that, but I got kneed in the quad in the Atlanta game at the end of regulation by (Anthony Davis), that's now back to 100 percent. Probably three days ago it was still pretty sore. But I'm able to get that back to 100 (percent), so that was great, so I was able to hit a lot of other elements as well."

James had seen his offensive production fluctuate in the two weeks prior to his absence, including a four-game stretch during which he went 0-for-19 on three-point attempts.

Redick said on Wednesday that James had "asked for a sub a couple times because he's gassed" through the first 23 games of the season.

"For us, we have to be cognizant as we play more and more games, just the cumulative effect of playing a lot of minutes and Sunday, being banged up with the foot thing, it felt like a good opportunity for him to get some rest," Redick said on Wednesday, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

James, who turns 40 later this month, told reporters after a Dec. 2 loss to the Wolves that he had "been discussing" a potential rest plan with the Lakers. His weeklong break could be part of the franchise's plan to ensure he is healthy and available for a hopeful postseason berth in the spring.

For Redick, monitoring James' minutes will be a constant challenge. While he remains Los Angeles' best player, he simply cannot handle the kind of workload everyone has come to expect of him at this stage of his career.