On Sunday, November 30, the Lakers beat the Pelicans 133-121. Los Angeles improved its record to 15-4. They are 8-2 in their last 10 and have won seven consecutive games.
LeBron James missed his 15th game of the season on Sunday. The Lakers have the second game of a back-to-back on Monday, December 1, vs. the Suns. That is a tougher matchup for Los Angeles compared to New Orleans. Head coach JJ Redick said the Lakers are being “cautious” with LeBron James. Redick is unsure how many back-to-backs James plays this season.
The Lakers are smartly keeping the health of LeBron James as a top priority
JJ Redick says the team is being cautious with LeBron James since he did not have a full training camp to ramp up, per @DStarkand
The team hopes he can play in back-to-backs at some point this season pic.twitter.com/KA2PUU5w8b
— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) December 1, 2025
Nineteen games into the 2025-26 season, the Lakers are a top-two team in the West. Only the Thunder have more wins than Los Angeles early in the year. Leading the way for Los Angeles in 2025-26 has been the duo of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Together, they average 63.9 points per game for the Lakers. In the past, it was LeBron James leading the way for Los Angeles.
However, James was dealing with sciatica on his right side throughout traning camp and the preseason. For the first time in his professional career, James missed the first game of the season. The 40-year-old missed the Lakers’ first 14 games of 2025-26. He made his return on November 18 and played in four straight games.
“It is an injury he’s had in the past, it’s something we have to manage in the past, given the back to back. And given the fact that he’s basically coming off of this training camp, this has been a training camp. Just being cautious”
JJ Redick on LeBron’s injury tonight pic.twitter.com/H2z5rz3Quo
— 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅 🏆 (@PurpGolded) December 1, 2025
LeBron was unavailable for the Lakers’ most recent game on Sunday, November 30. He is currently listed as day-to-day due to a foot injury. Head coach JJ Redick recently told reporters that the team is being “cautious” with James. The 40-year-old didn’t have much of a traning camp and did not play in the preseason. James is using this time to get his body into playing shape.
JJ Redick said that is something the team will “manage” all season. Additionally, the Lakers’ head coach said he is “unsure” when James will play in back-to-backs. For now, the Lakers are holding James out of playing two games in two nights. Los Angeles is 15-4 and has been playing well. They are not desperate for James’ production, and that is a bonus. After sitting out Sunday vs. the Pelicans, James could play on Monday, December 1, vs. the Suns.
