The Los Angeles Lakers will be without LeBron James for their home game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday due to a lingering left-foot injury. The team is managing the 40-year-old star's health ahead of a back-to-back schedule, with a matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Monday. James recently returned from a sciatica issue that sidelined him for the first 14 games.
The Lakers enter the contest on a six-game winning streak, including an undefeated run in NBA Cup group play and a 129-119 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. In that game, Luka Dončić scored 35 points with 11 assists, while Austin Reaves led with 38 points on 12-of-15 shooting, including 6-of-8 from three-point range. James contributed 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting and seven assists.
Lakers coach J.J. Redick emphasized caution with James, stating, "We're going to build him up," and noting the team is "just being cautious." The goal is to prepare James for back-to-back games moving forward. James, averaging 16.5 points on a career-low 6.5 field-goal attempts in his first four games back, dropped 25 points in one outing.
The Pelicans, struggling with just three wins and 11 losses in their past 12 games, come off a 104-96 road loss to the Golden State Warriors. Zion Williamson scored 25 points with seven rebounds and four assists in that defeat, marking his fifth game in the last six after missing time with a hamstring strain. Saddiq Bey added 21 points. New Orleans previously fell 118-104 to the Lakers on Nov. 14, where Trey Murphy III led with 35 points and rookie Jeremiah Fears had 19.
Interim Pelicans coach James Borrego highlighted growing confidence, saying, "I feel a confidence brewing with the group... The ball is moving, our pace is up." Reaves credited the team's ball-handlers, noting, "Luka draws so much attention, Bron's obviously Bron... I kind of run around out there and find open spots." James added, "Those guys have so many eyes on them... it's a numbers game for us."