After missing the Los Angeles Lakers‘ first 14 games this season due to sciatica, LeBron James returned, but for his first six games back, he mostly didn’t look like his usual self. This past Monday and Thursday, he shot a combined 7-of-27 from the field and scored a total of 18 points, and his record streak of 1,297 consecutive games with double-digit points ended on Thursday.
He sat out Friday’s loss to the Boston Celtics, but he was back on Sunday when the Lakers played the Philadelphia 76ers to end a three-game road trip. He made 12 of his 17 shot attempts and finished with 29 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and down the stretch, he took over and ensured a 112-108 victory for Los Angeles.
James may not be the type of athlete whose confidence tends to waver. But coach JJ Redick was asked after the game if a performance like this is good for the superstar and his team in terms of re-establishing what James is capable of. Redick said James’ performance was important in the sense of being a reminder that James can still play at a superstar level.
“I don’t think LeBron needs confidence,” Redick said. “But it’s a fair question because I do think it’s important to be reminded every now and then of what you’re capable of. And for him to have the injuries and then to sort of start the season playing catch-up in a way, and start the season playing catch-up with a team that is also in a really good rhythm and, as a player, I don’t care how good you are, that’s tough to figure out. So tonight was super important.”
Sunday’s game was James’ first truly typical outing so far this season. Depending on what transpires for him, as well as the team, from this point on, it could very well end up being a reinforcement of sorts when it comes to James’ ability to continue to play at an elite level, even though he’s a few weeks shy of his 41st birthday.