Lakers Rumors: LeBron James on Minutes Restriction, Won’t Play Back-to-Backs

Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images

One day after LeBron James surpassed Michael Jordan as the fourth-highest scorer in NBA history, the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly decided to preserve their 34-year-old All-Star for future seasons.   

Chris B. Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported Thursday afternoon that the Lakers will put James on a minutes restriction for the rest of the season:

“I was told, now that the Lakers are almost out of playoff contention, that there was a conversation had between LeBron James‘ trainer and the front office. And they came to the conclusion that moving forward, LeBron James will play somewhere [between] 28 to 32 minutes [a game].

“And possibly on back-to-backs, depending on how LeBron James feels, that he might sit out one of those back-to-backs.” 

While James climbed higher in NBA history, the Lakers dropped their fourth game in a row and sixth in their past seventh games. At 30-35, L.A. is 6.5 games out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Lakers have 17 regular-season games remaining, including three back-to-backs.

This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.

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