LeBron James Talks Potentially Playing All 82 Games for 1st Time in Career

LeBron James still hasn't missed a game this season with just two to go, but he refused to guarantee that he will play the season finale. 

"We'll see how tonight goes," James said ahead of Monday night's matchup with the New York Knicks, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN. "I've been telling you that for the last four weeks. So, my mindset is focus on tonight and if I come out healthy, I'll be available for Wednesday. That's all that matters for me."

The Cavaliers play the Knicks again Wednesday at home in the last game of the year. If James plays both, it will be the first time in his career he has played all 82 games in a season.

James has generally stayed healthy in his career, only once missing more than 10 games in a season. He was limited to 69 games in 2014-15 with knee and back injuries. However, he has always gotten a game off here or there just for rest.

That has seemingly not been an option this season with the Cavaliers needing more help than ever.

Even at 33 years old, James currently leads the NBA in minutes played at 37.2 per game. He is also averaging career highs in assists (9.2) and rebounds (8.7) to go with his 27.7 points per game, which is his highest since the 2009-10 season.

This has been necessary since he hasn't had the supporting cast he is used to in recent years. Kevin Love was the only other All-Star this season and he missed more than 20 games with a hand injury.

Despite James' heroics, Cleveland sits in the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference with a 49-31 record entering Monday. The squad can still move up to the No. 3 seed by the end of the season but trail the Philadelphia 76ers by a game with two remaining.

If the team's seed is set and there is nothing to play for Wednesday, it could make sense for James to rest, even if it ruins his chance at playing a complete season. He knows the true goal is an NBA title, and remaining healthy and fresh for the playoffs should be the priority going forward.