LeBron James Rumors Reveals Lakers' Approach to Back-to-Backs After Injury Return

The Los Angeles Lakers may not have yet decided whether LeBron James will be playing in back-to-backs down the stretch of his historic 23rd NBA season.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin said Tuesday on NBA Today the Lakers plan to take James' availability day by day while preparing to play road games on both Tuesday and Wednesday night.

"He's going to play tonight in New Orleans, and then sources tell me they're gonna take it game by game, and see how his body feels," McMenamin said. "That is a step forward from what he's been through thus far this season, when they just ruled out back-to-backs."

James was not listed on the Lakers' injury report ahead of Tuesday's 8 p.m. ET tip-off against the Pelicans. The team is next set to travel to San Antonio for a 9:30 p.m. ET game on Wednesday.

McMenamin previously reported in September that James' representatives had told the Lakers to be "overly cautious" with his health this season.

James, who turned 41 in December, has appeared in just 17 of the Lakers' 33 games to start the season.

That included a 14-game stretch at the beginning of the campaign for which he was sidelined by sciatica.

He has also missed time due to left foot injury management, and has yet to play in any back-to-backs.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick told reporters in late November having James available on consecutive nights was a goal for the team this season.

"We're going to build him up, hopefully, to be able to play in back-to-backs," Redick said on Nov. 30 (h/t Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times). "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."

Being able to get James in the lineup more regularly would be a boost for a Lakers team currently missing regular starters Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves to calf injuries.

The Lakers' ultimate focus, however, could be on keeping James healthy for the postseason as the franchise eyes a potential run led by NBA points-per-game leader Luka Dončić.

Even if the Lakers ultimately sit James for Wednesday's matchup with the Spurs, the back-to-back question will come up again in less than a week. The Lakers play on consecutive days early next week, with a road game against the Sacramento Kings followed by a Tuesday home game against the Atlanta Hawks.